Glass Tiger had a very busy 2018. More of you saw us on more dates last year than at anytime since the 80’s and 90’s. We also crossed the border to the “Good Ol’ USA” and did a club date in NYC, and just for good measure, we played The Epcot Stage in Disney, Florida. Add to that, a show in London, England and one in Nottingham, England and you get a busy bunch of pop-rockers.

“Fly me to the moon.......again!”

Also, as I write this blog here in a very chilly and very wet, L.A., we have already crossed the border yet again by playing a casino date in New York State AND we will be doing a return date at Epcot once more this coming Saturday, Sunday (March 9 and 10)

“Ladies and Gents.....GLASS TIGER!”

Let’s face it, we love it. We love the adventure of it, trying to build upon these out-of- country dates by touring more and by dipping our toes into the waters of overseas gigs and south-of-border-gigs once again. Many of you write to me from all over the world, especially, from the USA, asking why we just don’t come to your neck-of-the-woods to perform and believe me when I say, “WE WOULD LOVE TO COME!”

Emails and texts from from as far off as Glasgow, Barcelona or San Diego. Texts from Sweden to Mexico, and from Austin, in Texas to Sydney, Australia...I mean REALLY? Who wouldn’t want to do that? It would be fantastic, Glass Tiger would love to come see all of you, in every corner, of every country possible. So why don’t we you ask? Why don’t we just hop on a plane, a train or an automobile, and head out to come play for you? Well......it’s all about being realistic. It’s incredibly expensive and a huge effort moving a band and crew from point A to point B even at the best of times and when we do that here in Canada, it all comes together cohesively. Promoters buy the band, they sell the tickets, they promote the show and because the band remains widely popular here in Canada, enough people come out to make it all work for everyone involved. Taking Glass Tiger to Sydney, or Barcelona or Los Angeles however, changes the landscape drastically and although these days it’s not just all about making money, it really becomes more about people not losing vast amounts of money, Glass Tiger included. We of course need to know that there is enough of an audience at the other end to make any of it work. We are also not kids anymore (you may have noticed 😂😂) So the idea of us just jumping in a van and heading off indiscriminately wherever the wind takes us, just ain’t happening anymore. So what to do?

“I’m sure he said, turn LEFT at the Eiffel Tower!”

Well, let’s see...... what we do is this...we baby-step it. We turn the clock back as if we were just starting out all over again (minus the van) by playing smaller venues that are easier to fill or play venues like Epcot that are safeguarded by being able to afford the band and who have a built-in audience that can come see GT, be reminded first-hand of who we are, what we do, what hits we had, and then who can spread the word and help us take a run at crossing the border again and again......and again. It’s a slow process but it works and hey, we have the kind of time that doesn’t put us under pressure to do it immediately. An even better way to do things is to find a tour that is already going out and see if we can land that tour as an opener, go out and reacquaint with much larger audiences while seeing If we can entice a new ones. Again, just like the good-old-days opening for the likes of Journey and Tina Turner.

So that’s the plan. It’s going to take time, but we are willing to give it the old “college” try. So be patient, stay with us, and let’s see what happens.

“Knock Knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“New Glass Tiger.”

“New Glass Tiger who?”

“NEW GLASS TIGER MUSIC.”

“WELL IT’S ABOUT FUCKING TIME!!”

To which is say, “I AGREE!”

Glass Tiger, as a band, has never been the most prolific purveyors of new material. In all of our years together we have only ever released 3 major studio albums and a smidgen of odd things through the years. Now from my defence, it’s certainly not from a lack of writing. Personally, I write all the time and have a shitload of unreleased songs. I have released 3 studio albums, had several songs covered by other artists and continue to write constantly in my studio either with Sean, my full-time engineer and assistant or with tons of other writers from all over North America. Glass Tiger however, is a different kettle of fish. Our various distractions and personal lives were never very conducive to us getting together to write. I know that sounds weird but it’s just the way things were and as a matter-of-fact, I often wonder what it would have been like to put more and more GT albums out because as history proved we are pretty good at it. From just the 3 albums alone we spawned a whack of hits, 5 Juno awards, 5 Classic awards, a Grammy nod, and some 7 odd million albums sold. Not bad for a band that hardly writes together 😂. All joking aside though, this has been so long overdue and it’s an amazing feeling preparing this new CD for you. I think you’re gonna be pleasantly surprised just how solid it is. I know my way around songs and I have been involved in and written great songs and I have been involved in and written shit songs. Every writer experiences that in their professional lives. I know however when it’s great and I couldn’t be happier with the sound and tone, emotion, energy and passion spinning off of these new ones. Now, just for the record, we are going to release it as an EP of six songs, not a full album of ten or twelve, the reason being we have an insanely wacky deadline in which to get it ready for you. We did have time on our side and planned to take our time this spring and summer when all of a sudden we landed the Corey Hart tour and that changed the landscape. If you are a fan of the 80’s, a fan of Glass Tiger’s and/or a fan of Corey, then this double-bill is a MUST SEE! and those of you who attend the concerts will be the first ones to get your hands on the new GT release. Both Corey and GT together for the first time ever! It’s an 80’s no-brainer. The tour however, was responsible for us deciding that it is imperative we MUST deliver you a new CD to coincide with it, hence the crazy deadline. We must deliver Warner Canada a finished product by early April, so an EP it shall be, and, if by chance ya love it and want more, then we will do another one by year’s end to deliver to you by spring of 2020. Exciting stuff huh? We can’t wait to let you hear it.

THAT GUY AND THIS GUY..,,

The first of 365?

Those of you who follow me on my socials are well aware of a little something I have been bringing your way called, ”Note To Self.” Little daily mantras and affirmations that began simply on January 1st, what I meant to be, just a little slap on my own arm to say, “Hey, it’s a new year, let’s go!” But then an interesting thing happened. Some of you began writing back to me regarding the fact that you liked the message I was sending out and that asked would I please give you another one. So I did. Then another, and yet, another and again, another. Here I sit now, having just completed number SIXTY FRIGGIN’ SIX!” and they’re still coming and you’re STILL writing to me about how much they touch you, make you think, empower you and make you want to take action in your own life. Now THAT, turns my crank and for the record, if you claim to know me at all, you know that telling me to keep going with this, is like a red-rag-to-a-bull and I cannot help myself but to keep them coming. It’s just my nature. I love communication. I love inspiration. I love hearing from you and I love reading all of your responses. It empowers me, so much, to read your take on how, each and every one of you, like me, face the enormous challenge of playing out this phenomenon and challenge we call life.

I get inspired knowing how we all go about facing life’s challenges, and it is our facing up to all of these challenges that bonds us all together, here, faced with the mystery and the majesty, the sorrows and the joys, the failures and the successes of it all, relentlessly coming at us, daily, bonding us for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part.

Personally, I made a pact with the universe many years ago, that basically said, “No matter what you throw at me, no matter how much you try to bring me to my knees, I will never give up...ever.” This mantra, is also especially true, in my career. This “here today, gone tomorrow,” cutthroat industry we call the music business is tough, ruthless and unforgiving and if left to its own devices it can break the toughest of souls, the biggest of hearts and, indeed it does. Very early on in my career I came to the conclusion that the universe and the music business owes me nothing. I started this journey around the age of 21 or so, and here I am, 40yrs later still doing what I love......who gets to say that? I have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my life and my career and quite frankly, why wouldn’t I? Of course it’s going to be a roller-coaster of ups and downs, of highs and lows and of love’s and hates. But I would never expect it to be anything more or any less. And so I say this to you......if you are NOT doing what you love, you MUST address that. I am not saying if you hate your job you must quit it (although if that be the case then so be it) but if you are working at something you hate because you need to pay the bills, I TOTALLY get it. I have been there myself, whether, selling shoes, or cutting long steel tubes into short steel tubes, or working in a plastics factory, or delivering milk....I have been there, working and hating it, HOWEVER, you have to at least dabble in your dream, touch on your happy place, remind yourself that it is never too late. I was THIRTY by the time Glass Tiger cracked it. I was so old by pop standards that the record company insisted on lying about my age!! THIRTY.....OLD!! Holy fuck! Hahahahhahaha

Yes it’s been a LONG time

What a life....

Be it known that I have tried to honour my no surrender mantra to this day, the one that says, “Bring it on! Whatever I must face, I must face.” and I will continue to do so until, well, we all know how it ends right? But let’s go out on our own terms....agreed? Simply put, when the game ends, you want to know, that at the very least, you were a first-team-player.

The young immigrant with the funny accent,

I love life. I love it’s challenges. I love the hunger for what’s next. I don’t like being afraid but I respect and accept it’s role in my endeavours. Fear is a normal part of challenging the unknown. Fear plays a huge role in the concept of change. My mantra for change has and always will be, “Feel the fear, but do it anyway!” It’s incredible how many people turn away from something that could have changed their lives forever in a positive, enriching and lucrative way.... Yet they turned away from it all because of fear. Here’s one for you. Try being a 15 year old immigrant, with a funny accent, on the first day of high school in a new country!! I rest my case 😂.......and so as I leave you, be it known that I just finished and posted “Note To Self” number 66 and ask the question...” Can I really keep going to 365.

By now some of you may know ( and if ya don’t then here it comes) that 80’s idol and heart-throb, Cory Hart is doing a nation-wide tour next summer, beginning in St.John’s NFLD, May 31st, ( ssshhhh, that’s his birthday 😉) and ending in Vancouver, BC, June 25th. And by now, if you do indeed know that Corey is touring next summer, then ya probably know also, that Glass Tiger is joining him on this one, for a little bit of Canadian, music, history in the making.

YESSSSS, it’s really happening.

Video Hits, MTV, Good Rockin’ Tonight, and of course, Canada’s much-beloved MuchMusic, who can forget the birth of the video age, and how it took over the world. I look back on that time with fondness and nostalgia, as I am sure many of you do also. It was a glorious time for music....period.

What a time....

Yes, it had lots of “schmaltzy” moments and hokey, and goofy parts to it but it was also a defining period in music’s culture and history, and it will always be remembered as “classic” without a doubt. Say what you want about the hair, the make-up, the shoulder-pads and the head-bands, and of course, the videos, some of the greatest songs in the history of songwriting came from that iconic era known as, “The Eighties.” And with songs such as, ‘Sunglassess At Night,’ ‘Don’t Forget Me ( when I’m gone)’ ‘ Never Surrender’ and ‘Someday’ both Corey and Glass Tiger have left our own, cool, indelible mark, and of that, we are very honoured and proud.

Ahhhhhh, “The Eighties...”

I cannot tell you how many times in these past decades that people have said to me, “Why don’t you guys and Corey Hart tour together?” Of course it always sounded cool on paper but timing is everything, as you well know but it was just never able to happen. GT took a long hiatus, as I did solo stuff and Corey himself, took an even longer hiatus from it all, BUT NOW!!!!!!!! 😎🐅😎🐅😎🐅😎🐅 YOUR WISH IS OUR COMMAND!!

The Corey Hart “Never Surrender Tour” with special guests, Glass Tiger, is happening next year, May 31st-June 25th, starting in St.John’s NFLD and ending in Vancouver. I have already touched bases with Corey and we are both totally stoked and excited about this one.

Borrowed from the Irish, Corey is a name of more than one derivation. It is the transferred use of the surname derived from the Gaelic coire (a cauldron, a pool is water, a hollow): hence, “dweller in or near a hollow.” Alternatively, it is an Anglicized form of the var-ious surnames derived from corra (a spear).

Best known for his hit singles "Sunglasses at Night" and "Never Surrender". He has sold over 16 million records worldwide and scored nine US Billboard Top 40 hits. In Canada, Corey has amassed 30 Top 40 hits, including 11 in the Top 10, over the course of 30 years in the music industry. Nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1984, Hart is an inductee of Canada's Walk of Fame and is also a Juno award winner and multiple nominee.

Yes THAT is what a Juno Award looked like in the 80’s.

Corey was born in Montreal, Quebec, the youngest of five children. His first experience as a performing artist came at age 11, when he sang "Ben" for Tom Jones in Miami. He also recorded songs with Paul Anka in Las Vegas during this time period. In 1980, Corey represented Canada in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, Japan. Also known as the Yamaha Music Festival, it was an international song contest, held from 1970, until 1989. It was organized by The Yamaha Music Foundation and marked Corey’s first public performance of original material.

One of the most famous music logo’s....Capitol Records.

Back in the day, Corey and Glass Tiger were “stable-mates.” We were both signed to Capitol Records by Deane Cameron, who was then, the head of A&R ( he would go on to become President). Corey came out of the gate just ahead of us, around 1984 ( whereas we hit in 1986) and I remember going with Deane to see one of Corey’s shows in Hamilton at the Copps Coliseum. It was a zoo! Superstar stuff. And I remember thinking, “ Wow! That’s crazy! I wonder what that would feel like? Being up there on that huge stage with thousands of fans going nuts!” ( Careful what ya wish for Frew 😂) One of the things that stuck with me however, was the fact that I remember thinking that he was the “real deal.” As a vocalist and performer he was completely and totally committed to his performance and to his fans. He left it “all” on the stage and I admire that. I have always prided myself in the fact that I give it my all when the lights go down and it’s just you and your audience. Give it everything you have. Always. It’s that simple. And he does that. I do that. No one goes home feeling let down or disappointed. So now you’ll have that x2!! Can’t wait.

The boy leaves it “all” on the stage.

By 1986 Glass Tiger & Corey Hart pretty much owned MuchMusic and all the rest of the Canadian music scene, but here’s what is interesting. Even although we were both actively touring and recording AND were signed to the same label here in Canada, we never crossed paths. Throughout the years of being a player in the Canadian and indeed the World Music scene, Glass Tiger has crossed paths with countless Canadian and International acts and indeed shared the stage with lots of them; Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Tom Cochrane, Burton Cummings, Cheap Trick, Rod Stewart, the list goes on and on, yet, Corey and GT just never ran into each other .....except...that one time......

In 1986, Glass Tiger was touring with the amazing U.S. band, Journey, fronted by the incredible, Steve Perry.

A singer in a smokey room, The smell of wine and cheap perfume. For a smile they can share the night, It goes on and on and on and on.

It was an amazing time in our lives, hitting the stage each night, in front of close to 20,000 people for each performance. It was however, gruelling, and there was never a free moment. Either I was performing or I was doing promo. That was it. Yeah, ok maybe a sandwich or two and the occasional pee, but it was serious stuff and promotion, promotion, promotion was the name of the game.

One day i was told that there would be a window between, if memory serves, Baltimore and St. Louis and instead of resting I was told that I had to go to New York to do MTV and Entertainment Tonight. Sounds like fun huh? But believe me when I say it was brutally exhausting and the “Rockstar-ness” was wearing thin and rest and sleep, suddenly seemed much more alluring than anything the drive to fame could offer. But of course there was never any real doubt about what we were doing and why we were doing it and of course you can “sleep when you’re dead right?”

“Have you heard this band? What about...this one? Or this one? This? This? These guys? What about her?”

Management had watched just how hectic it was all becoming for me and in their mighty wisdom, decided to start matching me up with the others in the band beginning with Michael and Sam. So the rule went something like this; Alan and Michael go do blah blah blah ( some big show) while Sam stays behind and does blah blah, ( something local) Then we’d switch and Sam and I would toddle off while Michael stayed behind and the deal was that when Michael and Sam got it down pat, then perhaps I didn’t have to go at all and I could rest. Meanwhile Wayne and Al were also starting to be groomed at doing promo as well. The problem with promo hits however, is that the “frontman,” the singer, is usually the main target of ALL the main outlets of television, radio and print, and they “insist” on having that frontperson or they don’t want to do the promo piece at all. A drag, but that’s the way it is, and ya just have to get used to it. If you choose to be the band’s “showoff” there is a price to pay 😂

Sometimes promo trips have their “perks.” I met this guy in 1986 but I forget what band he was in.

On this particular promo trip, it was decided that Sam would accompany me ( much to Michael’s consternation, but that’s another story for another time) and so off we set for ‘The Big Apple’ with all the zest we could muster. We did all of the required promo asked of us that day, ending back at the headquarters of our record label. Now, in Canada, Corey and Glass Tiger were on the same label, Capitol Records, but in the USA, things were just a little different. The EMI family tree had several branches and while Corey was signed to EMI directly, we, Glass Tiger, were signed to Manhattan Records, a sort of “sister” label. Technically though, one big family. Sam and I were sitting around with the staff of Manhattan when one of them said,” Hey! I hear Corey Hart is in the EMI building. He has been doing promo all day. You guys being Canadians must know each other well, right?” Needless to say they were pretty stunned to find out that indeed we did not know each other, nor had we even met each other. Pretty quickly it was arranged that this was a perfect photo-op for both labels to bring their “hot acts” together in one of the boardrooms and that’s precisely what they did. Now here’s the funny part. The staff were all perky, and jazzed, and buzzing at the meeting of these “super-hit” Canadian acts but when Corey, Sam and I got together for the very first time,we looked at each other and our expressions said it all......”Who the fuck is the most tired? Hey man, I’d love to shake your hand if someone would just be kind enough to grab it for me and place it into yours. Do you mind if I just lay down over there on that sink?”

It was hilarious. We three were having telepathic “zombie-conversations” while all around us was a cacophony of excitement and noise from both staffs of our respective labels. And THAT was it for Corey and GT crossing paths. We went our separate ways and fate never had us crossing paths again until for me, I was asked to perform at a Canada’s Walk Of Fame event, at the beautiful Casa Loma building, here in Toronto. As I was entering via their red-carpet entrance and doing press, who was there but none other that Corey ( he was being honoured that evening) and also performing. We saw each other right away and immediately ignored what was going on around us to take the time to greet each other. Immediately we reminisced about that sleepy day in New York and had a chuckle together. Man it seems like yesterday but it was 32 years ago!! Time, as they say, “truly stops for no one.”

Canada’s Walk Of Fame performances.

And so now here we are. Here we are and we are going to make up for lost time. We are going to “rectify” the fact that Glass Tiger and Corey Hart have never crossed paths. Corey’s “Never Surrender Tour” 2019 is coming and we are proud and honoured to join him on it. If you are a fan of both or either acts, if you are a lover of 80’s music, if you would like to witness a touch of Canadian music history in-the-making, then you don’t want to miss this.i know I won’t.

As I write this, I am home. Home by the fire. Home, sitting with my “cuppa char.” Are you familiar with that term? While tea’s history stretches all the way back to China, circa 2700BC, the word char/cha – as in “a cup of char” (reducible to “a cuppa”) – is working-class, 19th-century colloquial British English, derived from Hindustani char, likely introduced by British Indian ser­vice­men. Similarly, chai is dated to circa 1919 military slang. The custom of drinking tea was popularised in England during the 1660s by King Charles II and his wife the Portuguese Infanta Catherine de Braganza, but it was not until the mid 19th century that the concept of 'afternoon tea' first appeared.

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” Henry James

The last two shows were in Moncton & Halifax, completing a triumvirate of east coast dates. Moncton is the largest city in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick. Situated in the Petitcodiac River Valley, Moncton lies at the geographic centre of the Maritime Provinces. The city has earned the nickname "Hub City" due to its central inland location in the region and its history as a railway and land transportation hub for the Maritimes.

........Theatres.

The Capitol Theatre in downtown Moncton is an absolute treasure. 800 seats in a restored 1920s-era vaudeville house on Main Street that serves as the centre for cultural entertainment for the city. Designed by René-Arthur Fréchet in 1920, it was rebuilt by Fréchet in 1926 after it burned. Having been converted to a cinema early in its history, the theatre was purchased by the City of Moncton in 1991, restored to its original look commencing in 1992, and was officially reopened as a performance space in 1993. It is a real pleasure to perform in it. Try it sometime 😉

The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium is part of the Dalhousie (University) Arts Centre complex, and the major concert hall in Halifax.

The auditorium opened officially 19 Nov 1971 and it is simply wonderful. Let’s just say if it’s good enough for Pavarotti, it’s good enough for Frew. What a beautiful theatre. Thank you Moncton, thank you Halifax, as audiences go, you are right up there with the best of them. As people go, ditto. Warm, friendly, funny, and welcoming. The east coast is the closest thing that a ‘Celt’ has to the “Old Country” and we so enjoy coming out to see you and perform for you.

Here are just a smidgen of the reviews and comments Glass Tiger and I have received during this last tour;

That’s a wrap!

@AlanFrew so enjoyed your show tonight in #halifax first night away from my newborn. You always make it worth it.~ Lisa.

You guys were absolutely amazing at the Mary Webb 💖

AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING! You guys haven’t lost a note. Better than ever and Alan’s voice is just SO DAMNED AMAZING! ~ Stephanie

Thank you guys for a beautiful show! The sound was just gorgeous! Getting the chance to tell you guys how much I enjoyed your music was great and now I can add Glass Tiger to my collection of autographed vinyls 😊 ~Julie

@AlanFrew was incredible tonight and had the whole crowd laughing with his jokes!~ The Daily Musician.

Glass Tiger and @AlanFrew, such a great evening. Awesome Wonderful in Moncton. Fire it up ~Neri

I admit I was skeptical about seeing Glass Tiger acoustically and I admit that my wife had to drag (me just a little bit) But WOW! What a show. Saw u guys in ‘89 you are better than ever! Thanks -David Frazer.

Thank you guys! There are just too many comments to post, but suffice to say we ALL had a blast together and I cannot wait to do it all again.

Seems so long ago

And so that’s it for performing for 2018. That’s a wrap. It began with my, Dear Canada Blog #1 - Feb 24, 2018, at the beginning of a 45 date run with my good pal, Johnny Reid and ended with this blog, and with Halifax on November 27th. I haven’t been this busy in years, lol. And next year is shaping up to be just as busy.

There are lots of good things on the horizon and I will be very busy these next couple of “non-performing” months. My involvement in a really cool production script continues and it is Glass Tiger’s full intention to bring you a brand new album of original material in 2019. Sam is coming to my studio early next week that we may begin wading through tracks we already have in order to discover if any of them fit the sound we are looking for. I alone, must have about 50 or so, as of yet, unheard songs and surely one or two of them will get us started.

Yup, it’s been that long.....actually, even longer!

As we head into this holiday season, those of you who celebrate in a formal, traditional, religious way, I wish you a happy and peaceful holiday season. Those of you, like me, who see it as just a nice calm time to be with friends and family? Well, same goes for you. Chill, put your feet up, enjoy your time off with a bit of rest and relaxation (says the guy who will work up until about December 22nd!! Lol) But I truly wish you all a safe, loving, happy, holiday season.

And to my fellow atheists ....Happy..........any day!!

Mainly though, let’s think of those less fortunate. Those in greater need than ourselves, and if able, give of yourself somehow.

Any one of these helps....

Donate. Gather up any clothes, toys, books, household goods, toiletries or computers you're not using and donate them to your local homeless shelter. ...

Advocate. Contact your local representatives and push for new legislation to help the homeless.

Employ. ...

Feed...

Respect....

No matter how small or fleeting it may seem to you, a little kindness goes a long, looooonng, way. Whether your able to donate money for presents, or give away warm blankets, or just feed someone a turkey sandwich, it ALL pays forward. This most likely will not be my last blog of the year. I will probably squeeze one last blog in. And so until that time dear readers....Goodnight.

Good morning Fredericton. Well I just witnessed some of the funniest shit I have ever seen. I dunno if it will translate here on the page as well as it did live in my brain, but fuuuuuuuck, I lost it when I saw this, so here goes ....

All my life I have questioned authority and anything that questions my sense of reason. One of the great questions for all of us, is of course, the existence or non-existence of a god and most definitely, I question the notion of organized religion, always.By the time I was in my thirties, reading, studying and writing at a prolific rate, I entered into an “agnostic” phase, which has since become atheistic which for me is a great relief, but as mentioned I went through a process of agnosticism, and the questioning that comes with that process.

I wonder how heavy this question mark is? Wait, is that a question of a question? Hmm, is that another question? And another?????

Something interesting though, is the notion that some fans of my music, seem to think that songs such as, “Healing Hands,” and “I Wonder Why” etc, are sort of, religious in nature or perhaps indicative of my “believing” in and of a higher power, due to the nature of their lyrics. Nothing could be further from the truth however, from my perspective, for I was already well into my agnostic phase when I wrote those lyrics and these are songs of “questioning” NOT of submission. That said, if my lyrics touch those of you, in a kind and loving way, those of you who are indeed, religious or believers, then I am happy and have no problem with that.

Now, during this agnostic and “questioning” phase, I used to check out a lot of the Christian, Evangelical television, mainly for the sheer entertainment of it and I always had a blast watching the antics of the pastor dudes up there, with their white suits, giant knotted ties and black plastic hair, on stage, usually in front of thousands, “healing the the lambs” who had flocked up beside him, ready and willing to be “healed” just by the laying of his hands on them. I watched them all, believe me, ALL of them but my favourite, by far, was always the Rev. Ernest Angley. Benny Hinn, was and still is, always good for a laugh but Ernest? He was simply the best.

HEAL! HEEEEEAAAL! No, not you Fido.

The laying of hands, the yelling, “HEAL! HEEEEAL!!!” and some man or woman would faint and fall backwards, only to be caught by one or two of his helpers, who would then lay them on the floor to “spasm” in rapture then.....pass out. IT’S BRILLIANT STUFF! You couldn’t make this shit up (well, you could, AND they do, but you get my drift.)

Man! Was that him? Or the tequila?

Ernest Angley, is an American Christian evangelist, author and television station owner based in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Now I don’t begrudge old Ernest his millions of dollars and his mansions and tv stations and private jets, as long as I can see it for the entertainment value that he provides. He is of course, in my opinion, a “rip off artist” but hey, whatever turns your crank. To dip into your pockets and lavish money on him, is of course, your choice and some of you may see his “healings” as divine and legit but for me, it’s popcorn and a drink, sit back, and it’s better than half the shitty movies on tv.

Did you see that? Ernest just healed his own toupee!!

So this morning, I turn on the telly in my room and boom!, it’s on The “Ernest Angley Hour” and its right at the very part where he is on stage doing his “laying of the hands” on various people with all kinds of complaints. One thing I should point out, is that old Ernest here, was born in 1921 and STILL with us, doing this shit, at the ripe old age of NINETY SEVEN!!

So the first thing that struck me as funny was that here he is, laying hands on people with all kinds of ailments, telling them that through him and his hands, the power of Jesus was about to heal them for good. I watched him tell one guy who had a bad lower back and trouble walking that he could now walk, bend, jump and run etc, He then told another guy in a wheelchair, who couldn’t stand, how now, indeed, he could. But here’s the funny thing. Ernest himself, requires a “helper” behind him, with his hands all the way around his waist, holding him up, because, HE HIMSELF CAN’T STAND!! Ok, take a moment to think about that....

And now for the pièce de résistance. After seeing a woman with a bad heart whom he gave “mental” Jesus heart surgery to, followed by the straightening a woman’s deformed toe, mentally, through her shoe. Followed by the telling a guy that he could now run a marathon, although the guy said that he had difficulty getting up to find the tv remote, a woman comes up to him and says the following....... now think about this....she says, “Pastor, there is something wrong with my neck. I have this chronic pain on the one side,” and she then raises her hand up, rubs the area to show him the side of her neck that is troubling her. “I can’t take it anymore. Help me, please.”

By this time I am riveted. I KNOW that old Ernest here is going to lay his hands on her neck, willing Jesus to come into the top of her head and work his way down her cranium, melting his love into the nape of her neck, only to carry her pain away, on a feathery cloak of healing, carrying it with him back to heaven, only to then have her faint at his knees, in a puddle of love and belief. I LOVE this, come on my favourite pastor, heal her, HEEEEAAAALLL HER!!!

“Here, let me get that booger for ya.”

Ernest raises his hand up to the side of her neck.....while I am holding my breath......he feels her neck, here, there, and here, then takes his hand away.....here it comes, here come the words we are all waiting for....the words the audience needs to hear...to know......to believe......that Jesus himself, is passing his power through the body and hands of the greatest tv pastor of all-time.

Ernest looks into her eyes and says, “YOU’VE BEEN SLEEPING FUNNY ON IT. GET YOURSELF A NEW PILLOW.”

“The Lord just cured me, look!”

What? Get yourself a new pillow!!??? I seriously thought that I was going to drop to the floor in a fit. Here I was all alone in my hotel room, laughing uncontrollably as I said out loud, “YOU’VE BEEN SLEEPING FUNNY ON IT. GET YOURSELF A NEW PILLOW!” only to laugh again and again. Now I may have a warped sense of humour but THAT is some funny shit right there. Is it not? Jesus is God. God is Jesus. All knowing. All powerful. Omnipotent. And Ernest is the conduit of that omnipotence. “You’ve been sleeping funny on it. Get yourself a new pillow!” BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Oh I love it. Thank you Ernest. You’re the best of the best still at 97!! Keep going. Who knows, by the time you’re 107 you might be telling them, “Oh fuck off! There’s shit all wrong with you!”

Fredericton, is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River, which flows west to east as it bisects the city. The river is the dominant natural feature of the area. One of the main urban centres in New Brunswick, the city had a population of 56,224 in the 2011 census. It is the third-largest city in the province after Moncton and Saint John. For those of you not too familiar with the east coast, it is Saint John, New Brunswick and Saint John’s, Newfoundland.

The earliest known inhabitation of the area dates back 12,000 years, according to archaeologists, evidenced by recent finds. Excavations unearthed a campsite with firepit and more than 600 artifacts including stone tool fragments and arrowheads.

The area of the present-day city of Fredericton was first used for seasonal farming by the Maliseet peoples. Maliseet cultivated food plants including: beans, pumpkins, Jerusalem artichokes, ground nuts, and maize on the river banks and islands of the Saint John River. In the mid-18th century their principal village of Aucpaque was located several kilometres upriver from the site of present-day Fredericton.

Maliseet. The Maliseet (or Malecite, also known as Wəlastəkwiyik and formerly as Etchemin) are an Algonquian Native American/First Nations people who inhabit the Saint John River valley and its tributaries, between New Brunswick, Quebec, and Maine.

Today Fredericton is an important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province. Musical, visual and performing arts play an integral role in the vibrancy of the city’s cultural core. Musically speaking, I always like to equate the east coast (especially Newfoundland) with Nashville. You just get the sense that everyone is attached to and bonded by music somehow. Everywhere ya go ya hear a “fiddle or two.”

Managed to squeeze in a workout around 3-4pm before heading to meet a good pal and his family for dinner. Carmela came down to join us and as she was introduced to my friend, Jeff’s wife, her hand hit a full glass of wine and it spilled all over her. Poor Carm, she was so embarrassed, however, I told them a little story of something that happened to me with a dear old pal and his new bride, to hopefully show that “not sweating it,” is a far better solution than freaking out over what is really a trivial accident.

I had a friend, Terry Lawson, who worked for Manhattan Records (our U.S. label ) back in the day. Terry became a dear, dear, friend, and I often used to visit with him in Fulton County, Georgia, where he lived. Manhattan Records was formed in 1984, by Bruce Lundvall, who enjoyed a career spanning half a century, Bruce signed a wide array of artists, including, Willie Nelson, Herbie Handcock, James Taylor, Richard Marx, Natalie Cole, Norah Jones and of course us, Glass Tiger. Bruce was the real deal. A legend in the business and real gentleman to boot.

GT on Manhattan.

Terry was the U.S. label’s, east coast, southern, record rep, and I went on to love the guy. He had a great love for movies and movie trivia, as do I, and a wonderful sense of humour and timing. We became good friends and we had such fun together. One day, out of the blue, while I was staying at his place in Fulton County Georgia he woke me up saying, “ Dude, let’s go! I want you to be my best man! I’ve decided to get married today!” That was Terry. And so off we went to Ringgold Georgia, a city in Catoosa County, population, 3,580 at the 2010 census and this story, of course, takes place way back in 1987, so one can only imagine what it’s population was then??

“You may kiss the bride....now GITTT !!

Just think of any old western movie that you have ever loved and THAT was Ringgold Georgia. At the wedding there was just Terry, his girlfriend and me and of course the Sheriff, complete with Stetson, gun-belt, holster and his six-shooter on his hip. After the wedding I decided to take them to dinner (which was very limited to say the least, but very tasty) During the beginning of the meal, I caused an accident, just like Carm’s spilling of the wine, only in my case, I knocked a candle over, setting fire to the “paper” table cloth, 😂 which quickly spread, causing a commotion. I immediately apologized after we got the flame extinguished citing the fact that I had, “spoiled the moment.” Terry immediately spoke up saying, “No you didn’t spoil the moment pal.....you just created another!” What a beautiful sentiment. I imparted this to Carm and Jeff’s family after the red wine was spilled over his wife and so now Carm, Jeff’s family and I will always remember the moment that was created, not spoiled.

Sadly, my dear, dear, dear, pal Terry, died suddenly after only enjoying 6 weeks of his marriage. It broke my heart and I still miss him dearly. He created one of the best “moments” of my life by being my friend ❤️

I still miss you pal.❤️

The delightful thing about tonights’s show is that the venue is across the street from the hotel and I mean, ACROSS, the street...some 50 ft!!!

50ft away .....YAY!!!

A lovely little theatre, acoustically first class and our show went flawlessly much to the enjoyment of both band and audience. Standing ovation followed by an encore.

People continue to support CAMH (Centre for Addiction & Mental Health) THANK YOU GUYS!!

Guess who is missing from Soundcheck?

We had a few guests backstage with us afterwards for a drink and a chat then headed back to the hotel. Most of the guys bailed and went straight to bed, while I sat with Joe and Carmela for about 30 mins and a night-cap.

Since today’s gig was in Oshawa (35mins from my home) I decided to forgo soundcheck, opting instead, to spend the day at home. I relaxed as much as I could, and at one point, had a warm soak in the tub.

Sweet and utter bliss!

During my time of writing, reading etc, as I do every day, I came across this message on my Facebook private messenger. This is in reference to Glass Tiger’s show in Trail, BC;

Alan, It’s a night my wife, sister-in-law and I will always remember.My brother-in-law was with us. It was his first and only night he had gone out in 6 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. We went to dinner and your show. He/We had a wonderful time. He was a career firefighter/first responder. We were supposed to go to the Petty tribute band a couple nights later, but he ended up in emergency (with his tickets still in hand ) And never came out. He passed away this past Wednesday at 58yrs old . So Glass Tiger will always be in our memory of Tim Boutin.

RIP Tim, and THANK YOU! to ALL “First Responders.”

How moving is that?😢 If that doesn’t drive home just how precious our time here and our time together truly is, then I don’t know what will. I was so moved by this contact, I responded asking for permission to share this story with you all. I did indeed get the permission and I was also given this;

It is with the deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain/Training Officer Tim Boutin, Trail Firefighters IAFF Local 941 in Trail B.C. Brother Boutin passed away on November 14, 2018 at the age of 58, from a short but courageous battle with Cancer.

You won’t be Tim.

The fact that Glass Tiger was Tim’s last concert, perhaps the last music he heard in his life, is gut-wrenchingly sad. Yet I feel honoured that he was there with us on that evening. Honoured that he left this world with our melodies in his heart. Tim, on behalf of Glass Tiger and I am sure, ALL who served with you and all of those you assisted and saved in your career, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ❤️ Condolences to all of you who loved Tim, we mourn your loss.

Oshawa (2016 population 159,458; is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario, approximately 60 kilometres east of Downtown Toronto. Historians believe that the area that would become Oshawa began as a transfer point for the fur trade. Beaver and other animals trapped for their pelts by local natives were traded with the Coureurs des bois (voyagers). Furs were loaded onto canoes by the Mississauga Indians at the Oshawa harbour and transported to the trading posts located to the west at the mouth of the Credit River. Around 1760, the French constructed a trading post near the harbour location; this was abandoned after a few years, but it’s ruins provided shelter for the first residents of what later became Oshawa. Most notably, one of the fur traders was Moody Farewell, an early resident of the community who was to some extent responsible for its name change. In modern times, once recognized as the sole "Automotive Capital of Canada", Oshawa, today, is an education and health sciences hub. The city is home to three post-secondary institutions; Durham College, Trent University Durham and The University Of Ontario Institute of Technology.

I have played Oshawa many times through the years, especially back in my days of playing the bars. There were some rough ones for sure, lots of biker-gang-watering-holes. With my first band, ONYX, we played these establishments and I remember the following situation vividly. We had a geeky, quirky, nerdy, hippy, guitar player named Rick. He could be a right asshole and a truly annoying bastard, but man he could play guitar. I was going to throttle him on many an occasion but I loved him too (it really is like family isn’t it?) and besides, he didn’t have a violent bone in his body, therefore, throttling him would have been murder because he wouldn’t fight back and he knew this and would taunt me with it. “Go on then, hit me!, he would say. I’ll only fall down!” arrrrrrgh.....

“Let’s go for a beer and kill a band lads.”

Really? That’s it? Yup, that’s it. How can you fight against that? On one occasion in one of these Oshawa, biker, havens, a bunch of “Hell’s Angels” were sitting watching and enjoying us. We had played for bikers before, and we could rock with the best of them, so we knew they liked us. Doesn’t mean they wouldn’t kill us on a bad night, but they liked us.😂 The seats on which they sat were literally only two feet away from us and during one particular song something happened at one of the tables and beer went flying towards Rick and it splashed both him and his Les Paul electric guitar. Without any qualms he kept playing on the neck with his left hand, reached for his own pint of beer on his amp with his right hand and without skipping a note, he drowned one of the Hell’s Angels with it. I thought I would swallow my own tongue. The blood drained out of all of our faces. Sphincters tightened. The bikers all sat dumbstruck and silent. The soaked biker looked at Rick intently, indeed, fiercely. Then he looked down at his soaked shirt and vest as beer poured out of his beard. He then turned his gaze back to his fellow bikers who were all still silently staring at him as if to say, “You gonna kill him now, BEFORE we finish our wings, or AFTER?” You could have cut the air with a needle, no knife required. Suddenly the drowned Angel stood up and went...... “BWWAHAHAAAHA!!” and suddenly ALL of the bikers were laughing uproariously. Sphincters relaxed. My voice returned and on we went. The biker actually came forward and shook Rick’s hand saying, “Fucking A man! You rock bro’” Welcome to Oshawa folk!

Looks like #13’s your lucky number tonight bro’.

I headed to the Regent Theatre and got there around 7:20p.m. for an 8:00p.m. kick-off. The show was sold out and the audience were up for it. I was tired. No doubt about it. I could feel it with each and every song. But the voice is at peak level right now having done some 14 shows and it just flowed out of me. We had a young lad, Ryan, come out and work on the monitor set up and it was brilliant. I sense he my have a job offer coming for next year.

THANK YOU OSHAWA!!

The evening ended with an encore and a singalong, after which we met those who had signed up for CAMH and a few friends. I was told that since we played the west coast to now, we have had ONE HUNDRED & FOUR signups for CAMH. THATS AMAZING! THANK YOU GUYS!

Of all the charities and organizations that I have worked with throughout these past 30 years or so, I can honestly say that I have never seen one that has affected so many people directly. Of course when raising money and awareness say, for African children requiring food and water and medicine, people are touched by that. Who wouldn’t be? Same goes for example, for women affected by breast cancer, families by autism, the need for equipment for those physically handicapped, the cry of world disasters, the need to assist the IJM (international justice mission) etc and so many, many, more. Goodness knows, I have worked on behalf of them all and then some and they are ALL worthy causes and thank goodness, certain people get touched by certain ones and step up to help. But THIS one? Mental Health & Addiction? Right across the board I have never seen anything quite like it. It is so common. It lies right at the grass roots level of our society. It has no gender selection, class or social preference. It’s insidious nature creeps it’s way into the fabric of humanity with catastrophic results. Mental illness IS illness. Addiction IS illness, but CAMH likes to focus on the positive that...

Thank you kindly to all of you who understand this and who are doing their best to help in the struggle against it.

And so now I get a few, welcomed days off before heading to the east coast. I drove back from Oshawa content that I and the band have given it our all these past few weeks. I will go to, Fredericton, Moncton & Halifax, ready to do it again. Then come back home and work on new material to prepare for 2019.

Wow! 2019! Can you believe it? Who hit the speed dial on this journey we call life. It seems like yesterday I was doing this.....

King’s Highway 401, commonly referred to as Highway 401 and also known by its official name as the Macdonald–Cartier Freeway or colloquially as the four-oh-one, is a controlled-access-400-series highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. It stretches 828 kilometres (514 mi) from Windsor in the west to the Ontario–Quebec border in the east. The part of Highway 401 that passes through Toronto is North America's busiest highway, and one of the widest. Some 420,000 vehicles drive on its 500 miles every day, and there isn’t a single inch of it that I haven’t traversed. When I am on it, I often think of the very first moment I was introduced to it. It was August 18th, 1972, and I remember it like it was yesterday.

My father had moved here just prior, in the May. He had come ahead of us to find a job and get settled, and now on this day, my mother, grandmother and I, had also made the move from Scotland to Canada. Immigrants fresh off the....”Laker Airways” plane.

Freddie Laker.

Laker Airways was a wholly private British independent airline founded by Sir Freddie Laker in 1966. It was originally a charter airline flying passengers and cargo worldwide. It’s head office was located at London Gatwick Airport, England. It was known for its low-cost, “no frills” service and believe me when I say they lived up to the no-frills approach. I am amazed they didn’t have holes in the floor for all of us to stick our legs through ( like the Flintstones) and all of us run fast to get us up in the air.

“Ooooh this dinosaur soup tastes like shit! ......WAIT A MINUTE......

As a matter of fact, thinking back on it, it may not have been a plane at all, but rather, a giant Pterodactyl!! “Wiiiilllllllmmmaaaa.” The company did not survive the recession of the early 80’s and it operated its last flight on February 5th, 1982, the day it went bankrupt.

The night before my dad left for Canada.

My dad and my brother Gordon were there to pick us up and when I saw my brother’s car, I thought I had stepped into an episode of “Columbo” or “The Fugitive” or any one of a number of 1970’s, American TV shows. You see, my brother’s car was a Pontiac Parisienne, a full-sized, rear wheel monstrosity of a vehicle, the likes of which I had only seen in movies or on television. It seemed more like a boat than a car and I remember thinking, “Ooooh, my brother must be rich!” And when we all piled into this tank and entered onto the 401 highway....well let me tell you, I seriously thought I was in the USA as opposed to Canada.

The “tank”.

You see, American television was the Mecca of tv shows back then. Sure we had our own British tv shows, like Doctor Who, Blue Peter, Dad’s Army, & Monty Python’s but it was the U.S. shows that always captured my imagination; The Brady Bunch, The Monkees, The Flintstones, and of course, the detective and cop shows like, 77, Sunset Strip, The Streets Of San Francisco, Mannix, The Fugitive, Columbo and of course The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Two things always stood out to me when I watched many of these shows; 1) the sun seemed to always be shining and 2) the cars and the highways seemed enormous!!! And so here I was on this stifling, hot, Aug 18th, 1972 day, travelling on this enormous 401 highway, inside this equally enormous, 1970, Pontiac Parisienne tank, thinking, “What tv show am I in?”

Coming from Scotland, everything was tiny; tiny houses and cars, tiny streets and as for the sun? Well that was just something The Beatles sang about, but we all knew it didn’t really exist. As a matter of fact, summer in Scotland used to be my favourite “day of the year!”

“Look on the bright side Mary. Summer’s tomorrow and it’s supposed to last ALL DAY!”

It’s beginning to look a lot like...... “white knuckle season.”

Today’s routine was exactly as the other day. We all drove our own vehicles and I grabbed Carm to save her from having to drive the long highway alone. We “blether” well, (it must be the singer in each of us) and so time passes quickly and the three to four hour drive was over before we knew it. There is a part of the 401, just around the London, Ontario area, that is a true “snow-belt” but the snow managed to stay away on the way here and I can only keep my fingers crossed it will behave on the way back. You can tell though, winter is just itching to make itself known again.

Our hotel was still the best part of an hour away from the venue. Drag going and coming back to it late tonight but we will be thankful of that tomorrow because we will wake up with only 2hrs to go to get back home.

Clever boy!

Chilled in my room for a bit and clever boy, managed to knock the crossword puzzle out lickety-split.

Everyone has their gig right? We ALL have our focus on what we deem important enough to spend the bulk of our lives working at or towards. For me of course, it’s music and entertaining; for you it may be running a business, or a store, maybe something health related, maybe it’s the hardest job of all in my opinion, being a full-time mom, raising your kids! Anyway one of a kajillion endeavours etc and of course when we get focused on “our” thing, we let a myriad of other “things” pass us by unnoticed. I say this because thanks to the newspaper today, that provided my crossword puzzle, I got to read about how scientists are going crazy, and I mean APE-SHIT, over the fact that the “kilogram” has finally been approved to be a new formula-based definition, as opposed to the precision-crafted metal lump that has set the standard for more than a century. OKAY YOU CAN BREATHE NOW!! I didn’t mean to get you all overly excited. But it’s actually fascinating. Scientists, for whom the update represents decades of work, clapped and cheered and even, “wept”, as the 50-plus nations one by one said “yes” or “oui” to the update.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you.... the “kilogram!”

Nobel prize winner William Phillips called it “the greatest revolution in measurement since the French revolution,” which ushered in the metric system of meters and kilograms. The so-called “Grand K” kilogram, a cylinder of polished platinum-iridium alloy that has been the world’s sole true kilo since 1889, is to be retired.

Now before you weight-watchers go crazy, relax baby birds. The change will have no discernible impact for most people. Our bathroom scales won’t get kinder and kilos and grams won’t change in supermarkets.

But it will mean redundancy for the Grand K and its six official copies. Unlike a physical object, the formula cannot pick up particles of dust, decay with time or be dropped and damaged. It also is expected to be more accurate when measuring very, very small or very, very large masses. So it seems that instead of being a solid mass that sits in a vault inside a jar against which all other kilograms are measured, the kilogram is now a formula.

“We future-proofed the system," said Martin Milton, director of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.

Carm and I arrived at the Mary Webb Centre around 7pm for an 8pm show start. I must admit I was skeptical about this gig going in but man, was I to be pleasantly surprised. You see up until 2010 it was still a functional church and today it still is a “church” that’s non-functional. 🤗 That is to say, everything about it screams “church” but it’s now a community centre, entertainment venue, and I have to tell you, for an acoustic or A cappella performance? IT’S FABULOUS!! Our audience sat in “pews!” I felt more like Joel Osteen than a Billy Joel!! But it was fantastic! The acoustics were superb and the audience fantastic. THANK YOU GUYS! Invite us back again anytime. Our little “dressing room” was the size of a small pantry and we had to take turns moving in order to do anything like put a shoe on, or boil the kettle, or tune a guitar. The best place to have a pee, was outside .......so I did.

Mary Webb Gosnell (for whom the church is named after) and her five children came from Ireland in 1832 and settled just down the road from what is now Highgate, carving a farm out of the thick forest. The first Orford church services were held in her log cabin in 1834. There are only two church or former church buildings like this one in North America, and perhaps fewer than 15 with a central ceiling dome and no supporting columns. This is why this heritage building, designed in 1897, is designated as a “round church”. It was one of those gigs ya just don’t forget......and I won’t.

“I’ve got third row floors!”

Made the hour drive back to hotel and sat in Sam’s room with the gang chatting. Everyone left not long after and Sam and I sat just the two of us, planning the road ahead.

We feel Glass Tiger has a new, “original” album left in us. We know the way forward for new music is tough, especially for an older, nostalgic band. But who gives a flying fuck about “tough roads!” We have been going down tough roads forever. We ALL go down tough roads don’t we? So 2019, WILL BRING YOU a new GT album of original and unheard songs. Stay tuned.

Bed around 3:30a.m. for an 8:30a.m. lobby call.

You’re next, Oshawa. Until that time, goodnight all.

P.S. We captured the “Chocolate Thief” and after a short trial, executed him.

First Nations peoples have lived, hunted, and travelled across the area for at least 10,000 years, as shown by archaeological evidence on Walpole Island. 10,000 years guys. Think about that. We truly are, ALL OF US, just immigrants, regardless how far you think your North American generations go back.

As it is......

About A.D. 796, these peoples emerged from an amalgamation of Ojibwa, Odawa, and Potowatami clans, and formed the Three Fires Confederacy, also called the Council of Three Fires. They were all speakers of Algonquian languages and also had connections through common elements of cultures. They developed a self-sufficient society where tasks and responsibilities were equally shared among all members.

As it was.......

Miss Long says, “No pictures! No pictures! SECURITY!!”

Since we are all travelling from our own homes to this gig, it’s easier for us all to make our own way there, in our own vehicles. I picked Carmela, (our BG singer) up and she and I made the drive together. It’s was a three hour drive and as we chatted tons during which we reminisced a lot about the days of playing Sarnia and the surrounding area, when there was an abundance of bars, all with “live” entertainment, where patrons could see great bands week in and week out by just going to their local “watering-hole.” Carm spoke of the days of her own band, “The Carmela Long Band,” whereby, she would often be out this way, slogging it out, night after night in the bars. Our respective bands never crossed paths back in the day but I will tell you two things about Carm. She is one of THE BEST vocalists I have ever worked with, AND one of the most respected vocalists that the city of Toronto has ever produced and I have NEVER known a vocalist who knows as many musicians as she does. It’s crazy! So many of them have played for her in her years of performing and they love and respect her so much that it’s like “old-home-week” every time we run into one of them. Airports, bus stops, bars, gigs, funerals, “Hey Carm, Hey Bob,” anyway, back to the bar days. Let’s be honest, they weren’t the most “glamorous” of places and as for the rooms that went along with them? Holy shit! Half the time you were afraid to undress to get into the beds.

Circa 1977 .....the rooms weren’t the most glamorous .....and who is THAT guy?

Sometimes you had to hope that the rodents would get the hint and move out. If they didn’t, you were apt to get an under-the-pillow-surprise during the night. One time Wayne and I had to share the same bed in a shithole up in Temagami, Ontario. At one point I felt movement under the pillow but what the fuck, I was too tired to care. In the morning Wayne and I awakened to find a dead “mole” under the pillow.

“Hey lads, can you move over? I am having trouble breathing!”

These were the days of doing 3 x 45min sets of covers (bar owners wanted NOTHING to do with originals) and in the province of Quebec, you had to do FIVE x 45mins sets, AND it was SEVEN nights a week not six. A famous haunt that my first band ONYX used to play, was a huge club called The Electric Circle. We had already played the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday ...count that at 5x45min sets, holy shit, that’s THIRTY SETS @ 45 mins per = 22.5 hrs if my math is correct AND we still had five sets to do on the Sunday, PLUS the fact, our next gig was the very next evening, Monday, in Newmarket, Ontario, a good 10hrs in those days in our old beat up van. First song, first set, of this last Sunday show and I hear Wayne yell, “ALAN!!!” As I turn around, the side of my face gets CLOBBERED with a huge lighting rack that our lighting tech had failed to secure properly. I get thumped and fall to the floor. Crowd cheers!!! (they think this is part of the show.) I get back up and attempt to sing, “ ARRRBY FRACKELTY ....FUCK!!” and I stagger and fall. I end up in a French hospital being told in broken English, “You stay! Must stay! Dangereux!!” Basically they were saying, “Your face is fucked and we need to keep you here for observation. If you leave, you’re on your own bud and it could be dangerous if your brain bleeds.”

I had been taught a few chords on guitar around 1974 by a guy called a Martin Ridgely. We then went on to duet together at parties and weddings etc Then I was approached by a scruffy bunch of characters in a band called ONYX. They had heard about my voice and wanted to know if I would audition for them. From that audition I was now officially a starving musician, playing the shittiest of shitholes, getting knocked out on stage, in 1970’s Quebec......bliss!

One of the earliest known shots of me singing for ONYX.

Needless to say, “the show must go on” and all that jazz and I went back to the club. The last set had been a disaster. The band knew but one song without me, ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ and they had tried doing an extended 48 min version of that until the drugs wore off the audience and they got booed off the stage! Ahhhhh, Rock’n’Roll, ya gotta luv it! We got our gear packed up, our arses in the van, and we made it to Newmarket and did our show as scheduled the next evening, me with a face like a balloon wearing dark glasses.

Got to Sarnia about an hour before needed for soundcheck. Carm and I had a fairly horrible lunch (eating of the road is such a crapshoot) before heading over to the theatre. During soundcheck an old friend of mine couldn’t believe that he had come home from Jamaica and was visiting friends in Sarnia, only to find out his old pal Alan and Glass Tiger were playing in town.

The Imperial Theatre, Sarnia.

We couldn’t believe our luck, not having seen each other in years. I hit him up with tickets and passes and headed back to hotel for my ritual warm soak or steaming shower to relax but also warm up the voice.

When it comes to men’s cologne I take great pride in smelling. 😂 I mean smell me, am I smelly? 😂 Seriously, it’s so funny that the single most consistent compliment I EVER get from people, is, “You smell good!” I mean it’s so constant it’s hilarious. My band mates are all used to it by now and I am forever getting hit up by others to divulge what I am wearing. Male or female, they compliment, then ask what I am wearing. I of course don’t divulge it which drives them crazy. Just the other day my pal Tanika Charles, another singer sent me this ;

Basically she is saying, “Hey bud! What’s your stink?”

Many of them know that I am a Tom Ford guy. Have been for years, and now you know. But it’s the combo’s that do it 😉 the subtle fragrances that blend together are perfect and I just don’t spray and tell. HOWEVER, I am willing to divulge the newest one I received as part of my fab birthday prezzies when I returned home ..... this cologne is FUCKING FABULOUS!!! It’s brand new from T.F. And I love it....your guy will too ladies and gents. It’s “earthy and woody” it’s very musky and masculine, and I highly recommend it. Christmas Prezzie,,🎄 gang!!

I shit you not.......that is the name of it.

Killer guitarist, Russell Gray.

We hit the stage around 8pm and tonight was the rock show format, not the acoustic show. It felt good just to get up there and rock out for 90 straight minutes as opposed to 2x45’s. Al Connelly was under the weather for this one and unable to perform, but our “BIG RUSS” (Russell Gray) filled in admirably. We missed you Al, get better for Saturday please!

The Sarnia crowd was great and we all had a blast together. They gave us a wonderful encore and of course we obliged.

Some warm pizza and a cold beer in the dressing room, then out to meet some guests and those amazing folk who signed up to support CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.) THANK YOU GUYS! Take the “I” out of illness and insert “We” .....

Man it’s been a long time.....

Back to hotel and joined the band for a chat and a nightcap. Lobby call is 8:30a.m. for the drive home to Toronto.

Nanaimo, (2016 Census population 90,504) is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island in beautiful British Columbia. It is known as "The Harbour City". The Indigenous peoples of the area that is now known as Nanaimo are the Snuneymuxw. An anglicised spelling and pronunciation of that word gave the city its current name.

The first Europeans to find Nanaimo Bay were those of the 1791 Spanish voyage of Juan Carrasco, under the command of Francisco de Eliza. They gave it the name Bocas de Winthuysen.

“Hello again Nanaimo.”

Nanaimo began as a trading post in the early 19th century. In 1849, the Snuneymuxw chief Ki-et-sa-kun ("Coal Tyee") informed the Hudson’s Bay Company of coal in the area. Exploration proved there was plenty of it in the area and Nanaimo became chiefly known for the export of coal. As I walked around the town it came flooding back to me that earlier this year, while we were out on tour with Johnny Reid, I blogged on Nanaimo on March 1st, so no wonder I feel like a know the place!! I feel like I was just here yesterday!

Yet another lovely spot in this beautiful province of British Columbia, it’s much chillier today, but nothing like what goes on at this time of year elsewhere in Canada. I could handle this weather for winter anytime.

We had a solid show in Nanaimo with quite a few personal guests and friends coming out. Quiet drink together back at hotel with a civilized lobby call for our drive tomorrow to the ferry for our return to the mainland. Tomorrow’s show in North Vancouver marks the last one of this western run.

Just one more to go.....

Nov 11th .....Remembrance Day/Armistice Day/ Veteran’s Day

All aboard “The Queen of Cowichan” Ferry by 10:00a.m. and immediately headed to breakfast together. Everyone on board took part in something special thanks to our Captain.....

At precisely 11:00a.m. he brought the ferry to a halt and all on board observed two minutes of perfect silence to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the War of 1914-1918, for today is Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day) is a memorial day observed in the Commonwealth of Nations to honour those heroes. Traditionally too, it has grown informally to honour ALL veterans who have served their nation(s) proudly in times of conflict. I know that I reflect just as much on soldiers who have died in more recent times, in say, Afghanistan, as I do those of my grandfather’s era who perished in the GREAT WAR of 1914-18. They are ALL heroes, bonded together in honour and in sacrifice and many of the privileges of freedom we take for granted today have come at the price of that sacrifice. They and their families, forever altered, forever pained. Broken but proud.

Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th, for it was on that date in 1918 that the hostilities of Wold War One formally ended "at the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month", in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.) The First World War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.

Our military brothers and sisters are near and dear to Glass Tiger’s heart and we have been honoured and privileged to go overseas to be with with them on numerous occasions. I personally have gone to at least 14 or so locations to be with them, beginning with Bosnia back in the 90’s and I have travelled to far-off places like Kuwait, Greenland, Oman, Alert, and Afghanistan four times. I have also been with them in the Golan Heights of Israel and in Egypt. In the USA, November 11th is known as Veterans Day, to honour those who have served in the U.S. Military. I have met many U.S. marines on bases shared with Canadians and other allies and they have always been kind, gracious and welcoming to us. Performing for them is an honour and a pleasure, but my favourite thing is to join them for breakfasts and lunches and dinners where we get to know them as people. Finding out where they are from, their high school, who their sweetheart is at home or hearing about their families and friends. It’s my favourite part of being over there. Of course so many of them are just too young to ever know who Glass Tiger is but two things always happens. One, the older guys and gals MAKE SURE THEY KNOW who Glass Tiger is 😂 and two, just like civilian audiences with young people attending, if we get up there and “kill it” then we win them over and they forever know who we are.

Glass Tiger Afghanistan tour.

They are some of the most selfless people I have ever known and I love visiting with them. I have actually been in Afghanistan when that selflessness culminates in them sacrificing their lives to save others. Glass Tiger was present on one occasion when three of our lads were killed and the experience of having to take the stage to perform for them, followed by a “ramp ceremony” to repatriate the three dead back to Canada, is something I will never forget. It was my job up on stage prior to the ceremony to remind the living, that we must continue to celebrate life and keep on living and laughing and loving, for if we don’t, then the bad guys win. And so thousands of us sang and danced under the sky of Kandahār, only to then transfer ourselves to the tarmac of the airstrip and solemnly stand silent as the caskets of the three boys passed by us and were boarded on to the C17 for the journey home to Canada.

Ramp Ceremony. The “ultimate sacrifice.”

When we ourselves were just kids, we tended to look up to persons of authority and see them as strong, mature,grown ups. They were, “men & women”. Then of course when you, yourself, mature and hit, say, 40 and up, you realize that in actual fact, so many of the military are just kids. Seriously, at 18, 19 and early 20’s, so young, with so much to live for. Fun story. Sam and I were on a very private, very secure base, plonked right in the middle of Kandahār and on this base were heavy duty troops. Kandahār or Qandahār is the second-largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 557,118. Formerly called Alexandria Arachosia, the city is named after Alexander the Great, who founded it in 329 BC around an ancient Arachosian town. So here we are amongst elite forces of the highest order both Canadian and American. Sam has a tiny little keyboard and I, only a crappy little microphone that plugged into the keyboard and my voice was projected through the damn thing along with his piano playing. Now in among the Canadian elites were two women who had cracked the team. Two women who had completed any test both physically and mentally that any man had completed. These women were tough gals. Serious shit. But I had been told ahead of time of their love for Glass Tiger and how they had just been “screaming little girls” back in 1986 when they first saw us. At the assigned moment I had two chairs brought up to me and just before we played, ‘SOMEDAY’ I called out thier names and asked them to come sit in the chairs. Well let me tell you, these two, elite, highly skilled, highly trained, “killing machines” became those two little girls again as I serenaded them as if no others were there. It was a sight to behold and one of the sweetest things I have ever witnessed as an entertainer who has done thousands upon thousands of shows. Precious moments that one never forgets.

Precious moments one never forgets.

These days, during a typical Glass Tiger performance, I always take the time to recognize the men and women in uniform and always will. I also encourage those who may be so inclined, that if they see a man or woman in uniform at an airport or a bus stop or train station, to take a moment out of their lives to approach them and give them a handshake or a thank you, maybe even a hug, for their service. Remembering too, that it’s equally as important to honour and respect them when their days of service are over and they are no longer in uniform. I had the honour not too long ago, of being on the cover of the military families magazine where the topic of our “homeless veterans” was front and centre. It is so important for our governments to do all they can to assist these returning heroes after their service is over. All too often the mental scars are far greater then any visible ones. Surely providing food, shelter, pensions, jobs, health care etc is but the very least we can do for them? Goodness knows they have more than earned it. THANK YOU TO ALL who have helped us enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today. THANK YOU ALSO TO YOUR FAMILIES....for the love and support and dedication they give to you in order for you to be able to serve your countries.

LEST WE FORGET.❤️

The red Remembrance Day poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem, “In Flanders Fields” written by Canadian physician, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

Lest We Forget.

Tough to say, but I am old enough to remember wearing a “real poppy” before they all seemed to vanish and be replaced by the plastic ones that we know and wear today. It’s the poppy of course that is the source of the crude drug opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug, causing it to be outlawed in many parts of the world.

Meanwhile, back in my immediate world we had one last show to do.

North Vancouver is known for hiking and skiing trails in the forested North Shore Mountains, including Grouse Mountain, whose Skyride cable car offers sweeping city views. High suspension bridges straddle popular Capilano Canyon and tranquil Lynn Canyon.

Capilano Canyon.

Moodyville (at the south end of Moody Avenue, now Moodyville Park), is the oldest settlement on Burrard Inlet, predating Vancouver: only New Westminster is the older non-native settlement in the region. Logging came to the virgin forests of Douglas Fir in North Vancouver, as sailing ships called in to load. A water-powered sawmill was set up in the 1860s at Moodyville, by Sewell Moody. Subsequently, post offices, schools and a village sprang up. In time, the municipality of North Vancouver (which encompassed the entire North Shore from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay) was incorporated in 1891. In the 1880s, Arthur Haywood-Lonsdale and a relation James Pemberton Fell, made substantial investments through their company, Lonsdale Estates, and in 1882 he financed the Moodyville investments. Several locations in the North Vancouver area are named after Lonsdale and his family.

Tonight’s show was not only our last show here in British Colombia, it was also our last show with Jessica Michell opening for us. THANK YOU JESSICA you are a fabulous talent and we really were honoured to have you with us. See you again soon. Let’s write!!

THANKS JESSICA.....tell JENNIFER I said hello! 😂

So there ya have it. Our little western haunt is over until the next time. Thanks to ALL OF YOU for coming out to see us. I trust by the fun time we had that we ALL enjoyed ourselves. As I write these last few words I am sitting in a warm tub IN MY OWN HOME with my OWN BED AWAITING ME!! I am back at it on Wednesday live in Sarnia, Ontario and I will blog you from there. Until that time....Goodnight all..... ❤️

Yesterday was my birthday. Another year down. 62 it be, whether I like it or not. I remember though, being a boy, when I thought of 60 as “ancient”. My dad seemed so old to me when he was 60. In fact, people started to seem old when in their 50’s and of course in many ways, that was actually true, due to their lifestyles. Work, eat, drink, work, eat, drink repeat. The idea of doing things to make you look and feel younger, just didn’t seem to exist.

For me, now, I am 62 and I cannot change that fact, but I have my music, my writing, my swimming, my performing, all as part of a regime to help me in this process of aging. Of course I hear ....”Oh, it’s only a number!” Lol right, tell me about it!! Tell that to my legs and my back! Lol But it’s MY number and it’s getting higher and higher all the time, WAY TOO FAST!! But what’s the alternative? Right? We all know what THAT is. Three years ago while suffering a stroke on a hospital gurney, I would HAPPILY have accepted someone saying, “I can make this stop, but when it does, you have to be 62.” “Done!” So welcome 62. Please however, take your time becoming 63 would ya?

We had a lovely day together. I had a great birthday. Other than being home, I couldn’t have asked for better. A day surrounded by my “other family”, my band, my dear friends for a day of sharing conversation, time, fellowship, love and oh yes........sake!!

We left the hotel here in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, around 2:30pm. headed downtown on foot, taking in the beautiful, November, Spring-like weather.

How’s THAT for looking out the window?

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, and it sits on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The City of Victoria is the 7th most densely populated city in Canada with 4,405.8 people per square kilometre, which is a greater population density than even Toronto.

Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday and a local public holiday in parts of Scotland celebrated on the last Monday before or on 24 May (Queen Victoria's birthday).

Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and, at the time, British North America, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, with British settlement beginning in 1843. The city has retained a large number of its historic buildings, in particular its two most famous landmarks, Parliament Buildings (finished in 1897) and the Empress Hotel, (opened in 1908). The city's Chinatown is the second oldest in North America after Francisco’s.

We walked around the bay marina, passing by those historic buildings and we settled first on a beautiful pub called, The Bard & Banker. What a truly beautiful interior to enjoy while having one of the best pints of Guinness in Canada.

Shakespeare drank here....

For fun, I asked each of my companions if they knew what a “Bard” was. Nah, they didn’t get it. Do you know without looking it up? What if I told you that Robert Burns was a bard? William Shakespeare was also a bard? Got it?

Yes, a bard in medieval Gaelic and British culture, was a professional story teller, verse-maker and music composer, employed by a patron (such as a monarch or noble), to commemorate one or more of the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities. “So you’re a bard!” says Joe. “Hmmm, I never thought of that before, says I, I guess you’re right!” 😂

.....so did these four.

We enjoyed one pint of Guinness before heading off to the beautiful Irish Pub, known as The Irish Times.

Beautiful pubs plus beautiful pints = beauty!

Voted Best Irish Pub in North America this year, the Irish Times was first home to the Bank of Montreal, built in 1894 by Sir Francis Rattenbury. It was Rattenbury’s first design in the chateau style stone work used 10 years later on his development of the iconic Empress Hotel. Today within its walls you will discover cozy fireplaces, rich dark wood, Victorian-etched glass doors and windows, shining gold chandeliers and a fascinating collection of memorabilia. Yet another pint of Guinness was thoroughly enjoyed.

Domo arigato Sake!

We then headed to GOZEN for some of the best sushi and sake I have ever had, period! I thought I was selecting a fine bottle of the stuff for the others because I am not a fan of sake. But this was different. This was high-end and served to us chilled, as if white wine, and it was FANTASTIC! It complimented the sushi as a fine red wine compliments a great steak.

We all had an emotional moment when Sam mentioned to me how proud he was of me, due to the fact that when Charlotte (the terminally ill woman from the previous show) was brought back stage to meet us, he said I immediately became “a nurse” once again. Not a singer, not a performer or any thing close to a so-called celebrity but rather just a nurse, Alan Frew R.N.He embellished a bit more and it caught us all off guard and made us emotional. I am proud of those letters after my name. They have served me well throughout my life. I worked hard for them and I loved being an R.N. Of course I understand how uncomfortable and scared and reluctant some people may feel when discussing “life” with someone who is in the fast process of “dying”, I get it and I respect it. For me though, I have no problems conversing with those who are dying because number one, they’re not dead yet. Yes, they are living minute by minute and those minutes are precious, but I also know that since we never know what’s around the corner for the rest of us, we could just as easily be conversing with “ourselves”. So, we had our emotional moment, I thanked Sam for his kind words, after which we all raised our glasses and toasted Charlotte, then got on with our own process of living and enjoying our time together.

Nightcap back at the hotel and off to bed.

Just before sleep I saw the gut-wrenchingly, awful report of yet another mass-shooting down south in the USA. I saw a mother screaming at the camera “I don’t want your thoughts, I don’t want your prayers. I WANT GUN CONTROL!! This was the tragic figure of a woman, completely broken because her son was caught in and survived, the Las Vegas concert massacre, only to die in a hail of bullets the other night in Thousand Oaks, CA. Holy fuck America, what’s it going to take?

True story. When I had my stroke, they took my drivers licence away. Stroke protocol. Ok I get it. But what I had to do to get it back was nothing short of demeaning. I had to take tests that would have embarrassed a 2yr old Golden Retriever. Could I draw a line from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 etc all the way to 20. Could I spot an elephant hiding in among the zebras. Did I remember what year it was when I was born and could I write that year down? On and on and on they came and at the end of it all when I passed their tests and they approved me mentally fit to drive a car, I took the actual driving test and they charged me $800 to get my licence back!! All because I had the audacity to fall ill.

Can you find the elephant in this photograph?

Dear America, would it be too much to ask therefore, that a little psychological test should be required of someone who wishes to buy an AK47?? Is it too much to ask, that killing devices, capable of destroying dozens-upon-dozens of people with one hail of bullets, NOT be purchasable, by regular, everyday folk, or worse yet, everyday folk with mental health issues? In Canada we have had 15 mass shootings since 1885!!! Why is that? Ask yourself why that is and when you find the answer, ask yourself if you would like that for your street, your neighbourhood and town, your city and state and country. My heart goes out to you America, for I KNOW that the vast majority of you want proper gun control, but corrupt, shady and unethical, big business, just won’t let that happen. Your neighbours and friends and your families and YOUR CHILDREN are being slaughtered 😢....RISE UP! DO SOMETHING!! REBEL AGAINST THIS NIGHTMARE!!

Our show in Victoria was held at the quaint and lovely McPherson Playhouse, known as The Mac, originally built as a Pantages Theatre in 1914.In the 1960s it was donated, with supporting funding for its renovation, to the people of Victoria by Thomas Shanks McPherson. It became part of the Centennial Square redevelopment, finished in 1965. Renovations preserved and refurbished the Neo-Baroque auditorium but added a modern lobby and various technical improvements. A lovely little spot and we “knocked it out of the park” before a very lively audience indeed. THANK YOU GUYS!

Also once again we had a great “signup” for CAMH (Centre for Addiction & Mental Health) THANK YOU AGAIN GUYS!!

5:45 a.m. came quickly but I was in one of those moods whereby I end up waking before my alarm no matter how early it is.

The morning sky reflected .....

What should have been a simple hour and a half early morning drive to the Horseshoe Bay Terminal to catch the ferry was actually a nail-biter time wise. Sam does an amazing job of planning all of our travel, times, routes, flights and hotels etc but even he couldn’t have predicted what the morning traffic was going to be like. Holy shit, I thought I was back in Toronto. Even as far as 90mins away from Vancouver, the commuting traffic was a shit-show. In order to have made it with ease we would have needed to leave around 4am, for an 8:30am ferry. We made it however and boarded on time.

A hearty breakfast for all followed before popping up to the bridge to visit with the Captain and his staff. We always enjoy going up there and the staff are always generous and welcoming.

“Gotta get the pineapples to Hawaii!!!!’

Ferry landed in Nanaimo and off we went for a 2hr drive to Campbell River.

Campbell River BC, or Wiwek̓a̱m is a coastal city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, at the south end of Discovery Passage. Campbell River boasts a population (2016 census) of 35,138 and has long been touted as "the Salmon Capital of the World".

Captain George Vancouver was a British officer of the Royal Navy, best known for his 1791–95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.

Captain George Vancouver reached Campbell River in 1792 aboard the ships HMS Discovery and HMS Chatham. The channel between Quadra Island and Campbell River is named Discovery Passage after HMS Discoery. The captain and his botanist, Mr Archibald Menzies discovered a small tribe of 350 natives who spoke the Salish language.

Numerous movies have been shot in beautiful Campbell River including ; Trapped, Seven Years in Tibet, The Scarlet Letter, Funal Destination 2 and Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes.

“I’m tired man...move over!”

I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t tired, for I am indeed,..... tired. It’s inevitable that this will happen on tour, and so all I can do is rest when able, get some exercise in when I can, and dig deep when showtime comes. That, my friends, is what I do. There is something about the lights going down, the audience cheering and that walk out onto the stage that demands that you can “only” be at your best.....period. I decided to skip any kind of workout and opted for a pre-show nap before heading over to the Tidemark Theatre for around 7:30p.m. The theatre is an art deco, 467 seat performing arts venue, and it is notably one the most prominent buildings downtown due to it’s bright pink exterior. We have played here before but for the life of me I cannot remember when.

You can love it or you can hate it....but you won’t miss it! IT’S PINK!!

The show was a little difficult for us again, due to behind-the-scenes problems with our in-ear monitors. Frustrating as it is though, it doesn’t affect what’s coming off of the stage or what’s coming out of the house system and Joe our tech is doing a stellar job. Crowd loved it and it was standing ovation all round. THANK YOU GUYS!!

After the show we met various folk who had VIP Passes for being radio station contest winners, then several people who had signed on to support CAMH (Centre for Addiction & Mental Health) THANKS GUYS!!

Prior to all of that however, there was an incredibly moving moment between myself and one very brave woman indeed. Thanks to some good “Samaritans” helping with transportation issues, Charlotte was able to make her final musical wish come true. You see Charlotte is terminally ill and Glass Tiger is one of her all-time favourite bands. Her wish? To see us one last time on stage and after the show. I had received several direct messages on my FB page from Charlotte’s loving family, asking if this could happen. OF COURSE THIS CAN HAPPEN ❤️ They brought her backstage in her wheelchair and she and I spent several wonderful minutes together having a little quiet chat and a whisper in each other’s ear.

Brave Charlotte. I am a better man for knowing you. ❤️

What we said to each other will remain with me as private but suffice to say that this beautiful soul isn’t afraid of what she is about to face and is reconciled to the fact that she is going through a life experience just a little ahead of the rest us. She also hasn’t lost any of her charm because after our last hug, just as we were separating she said, “Mmmm, you smell good!” Charlotte were you flirting? 😂😘

Charlotte with one of her all-time favourite bands.

We posed as a group with her and now I wish you love and strength Charlotte on your journey ahead. I know you are not afraid and for that I am happy. I received a lovely thank you this morning from your family and all I can say is love and strength to you all, and as for thanking me? You are most welcome xo

We moved on at a leisurely pace next day to Cowichan Bay, located on the east coast of southern Vancouver Island, near Duncan, in British Columbia.

This bowl reads; “We were here, loooooooooong before you.”

~ all our love, First Nations.

For many thousands of years Cowichan Bay was home to First Nations people who harvested the wealth of salmon and shellfish found in its many coves, tidal flats and swiftly flowing rivers. A rare steatite anthropomorphic bowl was discovered on Cowichan Bay in the late nineteenth century. One of only about 50 so far found and estimated to originate from the Marpole Culture (400 BC-400 AD), it is now in the British Museum’s collection. This is one of the reasons I have a very tough time with the idea of Canada Day being Canada’s birthday somehow. Our First Nation’s people have been hunting, fishing, living, working, loving and honouring this land for thousands upon thousands of years. Canada Day is absolutely a worthy celebration of Confederation but my goodness what our native sons and daughters can teach us about this beautiful land remains so untapped.

When we arrived at our hotel in Cowichan Bay we noticed a sign on the front desk. It was a photograph of a large Sea Lion and it read, “Hello we are BACK!” Then the lady offered us earplugs for it turns out that the dock out back of the hotel gets frequented at this time of year by these amazing creatures and it also turns out that they get rather “horny” between 3 and 5am. Now if you don’t think they are loud enough to begin with, just wait until 3 to 5am!!!

“Don’t mind me, but I am going to be making, Little Seals from the hours of 3am to 5am ~ thanks in advance.”

The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is a 731-seat proscenium arch theatre located in the Island Savings Centre, Duncan, BC. It has the largest stage/backstage area on Vancouver Island and one of the largest in the province. We have played here before but again, don’t ask me when. The audience was fabulous and the support for CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) was outstanding once again. THANK YOU GUYS!

We headed back to hotel and I ended up just sitting and chatting with Sam over a cold beer before heading back to my room and letting my head hit the pillow.

We’ve been doing this for a wee while now.

Tomorrow is a welcomed day off and ironically it is my birthday. My plans are to chill in the morning and watch my favourite football (soccer) team, Glasgow Rangers, play a game live from Moscow. Then we drive through to beautiful Victoria, and go for a birthday dinner together as a group.

As I write this blog I have already spent the night in Mission, BC, having travelled 9 hours (including an hour stop) through the beautiful mountains of stunning, British Columbia, Canada.

The morning sky.

How’s that for a backdrop. Joe, Alan, Carmela, Sam & Al.

Yes the journey was long and “stiffening,” and yes, it was a very “Long & Winding Road”, but what beauty. My goodness Canada, you are a sight to behold. Within the space of 8 hrs of driving we felt like we had passed through, Switzerland, Wyoming, Arizona and the highlands of Scotland. No camera seems to be able to capture the beauty that your eyes behold on a journey such as that. Yes we took photo’s but nah, it just doesn’t grab the majesty and glory of it all.

Coming into Osoyoos.

Coming down from one of the mountains, nestled near the border of Washington State, we looked down on the town of Osoyoos, the southern-most town in the Okanagan Valley. The origin of the name Osoyoos, was the word sẁiẁs (pronounced "soo-yoos") meaning "narrowing of the waters" in the local Okanagan language,(Syilx'tsn). The "O-" prefix is not indigenous in origin and was attached by settler-promoters wanting to harmonize the name with other place names beginning with O in the region.

Meet me at the corner of Main & Ponderosa Hoss.

What a lovely spot this is. Tucked down in the basin, surrounded by glorious mountains it felt like we were coming down into a Tuscan valley in Italy, as opposed to a Canadian one in BC.

Sam couldn’t make his mind up...eat fish & chips or.......sing.

We found and stopped for lunch at the The Owl Pub. Sam, like I, is not a big fan of eating and drinking outside, so we sat inside while the others took to the patio. The weather is Spring-like and lovely and we spent about an hour there before moving on. We arrived in Mission around 6pm just in time for me to catch the last part of the Patriots victory over the Packers. Then bed.

Mission is a district municipality incorporated in 1892, in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

With a 2016 census population of just under 40,000, Mission began its history as a land promotion. The town's core commercial properties and residential streets were auctioned off at the "Great Land Sale" of 1891, then quickly populated primarily with Europeans and anglicized French-Canadians alongside the usual English-Scottish Canadian mix typical of much of the Fraser Valley.

Today......I did NOT do soundcheck, yay!!, and hopefully won’t need to for the rest of the tour, for we are pretty much dialed in now. My not going was a break for Carmela, because she also got reprieved. Just getting those few extra hours to yourself not having to use the voice is a big deal and I decided to work on yesterday’s blog before taking to the little fitness room for a workout.

The Clarke Foundation Theatre, was opened in 1996 and since that time it has been the cultural hub of the community of Mission with hundreds of presentations highlighting the enormous wealth of local, as well as Canadian and international talent. The theatre is owned by the School District, which I kinda guessed right away when I saw certain wording on a few of the backstage doors. Let’s just say that wording on the doors suggests one of two things. Either the message is tantric in nature or some kid is running about with a razor blade in hand turning all the G’s in Gum to C’s.........you decide.😂😂😂

No food......No drinks.....No wonder....

Our crowd was perhaps the smallest one so far but that didn’t deter them from being loud and enthusiastic and better yet, they lead the way in “signups” for CAMH (Centre for Addiction & Mental Health) THANK YOU GUYS! Afterwards when we met the folks who signed up for CAMH one chap waited until the very end quite deliberately. When it was just him, he spoke to Sam and I saying, “I am 11 years sober and I have awaited for this moment to speak with you for quite some time. Back in the day, I was very active in soliciting drugs for your crew. Also I embezzled money from you, by padding my expenses. Now that I have got this off my chest and come clean with you, what can I do to make it up to you?”

Sometimes a hug is all it takes

How brave of him. How painful it must have been for him to get that out to us personally.

It’s part of the “Twelve Steps” of recovery, whereby one makes a searching and fearless moral inventory of oneself and in doing so, makes a list of persons they feel they have harmed, and becomes willing to be truthful and make amends to them all.

“So what can I do to make amends, “he asked humbly.

“This” said I as I opened my arms to him and we gave each other the longest, warmest, hug that both of us could muster. He got a little emotional before telling me thank you..... “No, thank YOU!” said I. What a lovely moment that was.

CAMH is making a difference not only in the lives of those addicted but also in mine. I love meeting these wonderful people who are all fighting the good fight.

Tomorrow is a 5:45am lobby call. 2 hr drive, 2 hr ferry ride, 2hr drive again. Gonna make for a long day methinks.

Head hit the pillow around midnight but it was 1 a.m. before I nodded off. I had CNN on in the background. Tomorrow is a major day in the life of American politics as the people go to the polls for mid-term elections. I would never use my blog to “punt” my political views, especially those of a country that I am not a citizen of, HOWEVER, all of my adult life I have considered myself a friend and fan of the “good ol’ USA” and it saddens me deeply to see her so divided, so ripped apart, so violent and angry and I can only trust that one day, hopefully sooner than later, the people will “get it.” They will truly realize that only through love & kindness, caring & sharing, can we survive. Thankfully as in all the countries I have ever visited, thankfully the majority of people ALWAYS march to that drum and it is always a minority that wishes to tear it apart. Goodnight all.

We hit Trail, BC after a 5 hr drive, stopping along the way for lunch in Grand Forks, population 4,049. Choices of establishments were not many and we settled on ‘Clyde’s Pub’. We have all heard or used the saying, “ looks can be deceiving and Clyde’s certainly fell into that category. On the surface it just looks like a little shabby sports bar and you may think you should be wary of what comes out of the kitchen. Never fear. I had one of the best homemade Shepherd’s Pies ever! Fresh and tasty with a touch of HP Sauce .... mmmmmm! Also my garden salad was fresh as could be and I chose a dressing I never have any other time than on the road, ‘French Dressing’. It reminds me of my young teenage years back in high school when lunch was Burger, Fries, tiny salad with French dressing, all for $1.99! The bar section also reminded me of the tv show CHEERS with all the locals gathered around in what looked like “their” seats.

Where everyone knows your name....

Woke up in Trail this morning and went downstairs around 7am for tea before heading to the little fitness room. Treadmill & Weights done, I went to one of the local establishments for a bite to eat. Funny when you come from the bigger cities like Toronto or New York, Chicago or Vancouver, you tend to carry a bit of the “high & mighty” with you. You want it when you want it and that’s always now. Coming to these small towns however, slows the world down. Everything isn’t high tech and in your face. Places seem grittier and grubbier but there is a character and charm about life in these towns that is unmistakeable. People are simpler, not of mind, but of needs and requirements. The clock seems to have slowed down, dare I say, turned back.

I have all my original parts.......(mostly)

The 65 cent Big Mac.

Every place reminds me of the town I lived in and grew up in, and where Glass Tiger hailed from, Newmarket, Ontario. But these towns remind me of the Newmarket of 1972!! But it works if you don’t fight it. Just accept it for what it is and it all makes sense and one forgets about the “hustle & bustle” of the big city and the shit-fest that can come with that. Don’t get me wrong, I need to be near the big cities, it’s in my DNA and it’s an absolute requirement for my career but I can assimilate into these little “mountain towns” quite readily.

We performed an almost sold-out show at the Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail, which is a vital cultural asset for Trail and surrounding communities. The population of the town is just under 8000, and it is named after The Dewdney Trail, a 720 km (450 mi) trail in British Columbia, that served as a major thoroughfare in the mid-19th century.

The Charles Bailey Theatre

Show went flawlessly and the audience was very much into it and gave us a lovely standing ovation at the end of it and again at the end of our encore. As mentioned earlier, we are supporting CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) and I must say, of ALL the charities and organizations I worked on behalf of, this one seems to resonate with EVERYONE. You guys who know me, know I have been proud to put efforts into helping dozens upon dozens of worthy causes and I won’t stop any time soon. But the contact I am receiving from those affected by addiction and mental health issues goes right to the core of everyday people from all walks of life, regardless of social status, gender or race.

Choose to be brave......we need you here❤️

I have shared numerous hugs after the show from men and woman who unabashedly and openly share their stories with me. Mental health issues, addiction and the stigma attached to them is so prevalent in today’s society that in any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction problem and by the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have—or have had—a mental illness. Surprising to some is that the number who die from suicide is more than double that of homicide at a global level. In fact, the number of deaths from suicides is higher than the number of deaths from all forms of violence – including homicide, terrorism, conflict, and executions – globally and across many countries across the world. Suicide is a major cause of premature and preventable death. It is estimated, that in 2009 alone, there were about 100,000 years of potential life lost to Canadians under the age of 75 as a result of suicides.

Thank you to all of you who are supporting CAMH. ❤️❤️

The “Stash”

Finally, we have a thief among us. Contained within our backstage “rider” are various snacks and chocolate bars. Now there are only 5 of us on the road at this time and yet when I got to the gig our chocolate supply was decimated and I was at a loss as to why. Then I came across a guitar case and something just didn’t seem right about it’s contents. I investigated further and found the following. I did some heavy investigative work and finally on hidden camera I captured this shot.

The site of the city was discovered by the Okanagan people, a tribe of the Interior Salish people, who initially named the community Nintle Moos Chin, meaning "jumping over place where the creek narrows". This name refers to a section of the Swan Lake that passes through Downtown Vernon, the community's central business district.

Goodness me, Canada is beautiful. I never tire of witnessing her beauty. Travelling as we do, is of course tiring in and of itself, but there is always a payoff that brightens the spirit and empowers me to lift myself up and keep moving.

“How many of these “dots” have I been to?”

We all had a chuckle this morning because we congregated downstairs together for breakfast, ALL having the same story of being awake since around 4:30-5:00am. After breakfast I threw a few pieces of laundry in and then went to the little fitness room nearby. These small towns don’t offer large chain hotels but they have all been just fine and when they have little washer and dryers available I jump at the chance because I hate lugging dirty laundry, no matter how little I have. I did an hour on the treadmill, and lifted some weights before grabbing my laundry and heading back up to my room. Gave myself a little pat-on-the- back for finishing the National Post crossword puzzle from scratch without having to look anything up or soliciting help.

Oh crossword how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Crossword puzzles are said to be the most popular and widespread word game in the world, yet have a short history. The first known published crossword puzzle was created by a journalist named Arthur Wynne from Liverpool, and he is usually credited as the inventor of the popular word game.

It’s funny how sometimes you can stare at a crossword and get nothing, then at other times it just flows out almost effortlessly. My dad “loved” doing crossword puzzles and I picked it up from him. I love keeping my brain engaged with the likes of puzzles and chess and scrabble etc. I never tire of the challenge and would like to think I will keep that up until my twilight years .... yes, I have become my dad!

Darby Mills.

Headed for a bit of lunch and was joined briefly by our backup vocalist Carmela Long who was meeting a friend of hers, Canadian singer, Darby Mills, formerly of the iconic band, ‘The Headpins.’ who were originall founded as a side project in the late 1970s by then Chilliwack members Ab Bryant and Brian Macleod. Darby, a “Vernonite” joined the band in 1981. They released their album Turn It Loud in 1982 which quickly went platinum and topped the charts for six weeks, with the hit single "Don't It Make Ya Feel". Their second release, Line of Fire, was another multi-platinum success, and included the hits "Just One More Time" and "Feel It (Feel My Body)", resulting in the band touring Europe with Whitesnake at the beginning of 1984. Mills received much attention and won accolades with fans polls voting her best singer. In 1985, the Headpins toured with many acts such as Kiss, Eddie Money and ZZ Top.

Check! Check! Cheque please!

The ladies headed off together and I headed back to my room to chill and write a bit. It wasn’t long however before I had to attend the dreaded “soundcheck.” The theatre in Vernon, though nice, doesn’t quite have the acoustic temperament of the little theatre in Medicine Hat and there is quite a lot of “slapback” that comes at you from the back wall. Which wouldn’t be so bad if I kept both in-ear monitors in my ears but I prefer to perform with one in and one out. So for the record my brain was hearing; the band instantaneously in my open ear, the band micro seconds later in my monitored ear, the band coming out of the house system and the band slapping back at me from the back wall......oh bliss! The good news is that when audiences fill the room the bodies attend to soak up and absorb sound diminishing the slapback considerably.

Check out Jessica on Spotify.

When we toured earlier this year with Johnny Reid, his opening act was a girl called Jessica Mitchell. Jessica is a huge talent and we are honoured to have her here now with us on these dates. Lauded as ‘country’s Adele’ and likened to Sheryl Crow, and much like them, her genre-bending vocals and tone are universally appealing. She is, at heart, a storyteller – an open book, inspired by the raw honesty and storytelling nature of the genre. Mitchell’s much anticipated debut album Heart of Glass, was released May 11, 2018. She has spent the last decade travelling between Toronto and Nashville, collaborating with top-notch songwriters, focusing on writing new music and crafting her richly unique sound. The record embodies powerful and soulful melodies and lyrical brilliance, while showcasing Mitchell’s vocal talent in the purest of forms – and the result is utterly and heartbreakingly beautiful. I encourage you all to go see her in concert and for the record, if we get time out here, I would love to pen a tune with her.

Audience was fantastic, thank you Vernon. For our encore we did an acoustic version of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ along with ‘Don’t Forget Me (when i’m Gone).

The guys are having a real chuckle at my expense. You see, I don’t think I have ever been in a Boston Pizza before, certainly not that I can ever remember. I “think” I was in one once because Chris and I wanted to see a boxing match live and the local Boston Pizza was the way to go.

“Show me your backstage pass please!!....Okay, you can go back.”

Anyway, the other night after the show in Medicine Hat, the ONLY place open where one could get a beer and a nibble was said establishment, Boston Pizza. So off we toddled and in we went and I was very wary about big, mushy, thick-crusted pizza, HOWEVER.....they have really upped their game and I had a delicious thin-crusted pizza, that I have to admit was pretty darned scrumptious. Cut to the next night in Vernon and Frew is now asking, “Hey man, is there a Boston Pizza in town?” which there was AND it was just across the way from the theatre. So this may just become; GLASS TIGER -THE BOSTON PIZZA TOUR 2018! Ok Canada, I will say goodnight to y’all and see you next in Trail, BC. Nighty night.

We all had problems sleeping last night, due it seems, from jumping time zone to time zone. I didn’t fall asleep until 12:30a.m. yet was wide awake by 4:00a.m.

“Me? Tired? Nah, don’t be silly.”

When I headed down to an early breakfast, everyone of us had the same complaint of not being able to sleep, which makes for a very looooonnng day ahead especially when we have soundcheck and then the actual show on this day.

“Art is the most intense form of individualism the world has ever known.” ~ Oscar Wilde.

Headed back up to my room after breakfast and spent the next several hours writing my blog, as well as working with my friend and partner in L.A. via text, on something pretty darn cool that I hope comes to fruition and you all get to witness and enjoy. That’s the strange thing about the business of “art”, you work on a 100 things to get just 1 to the finish line. How many songs of mine or of Glass Tiger’s have you heard? Doesn’t really matter what the answer is because the “How many have I/we written”, dwarfs the answer. Anyway, this project is incredibly cool and we will give it our “all”, to bring it to you.

Since this acoustic performance format is new and tonight is the first one, it was imperative that we had a good soundcheck and so I attended it (even although I don’t like ‘em 😩). As I have mentioned many times, I like to rest my voice for the actual show but when it’s absolutely necessary, then I do soundcheck........this one was necessary. Once we get into a groove and get our levels set, I will back off and skip them.

“Oh soundcheck, how I hate thee.........”

So to soundcheck it was and basically we DID THE WHOLE FUCKING SHOW!!! 😂😂 Man, singing it at 4pm only to sing it again at 8??? What’s THAT all about? The band love to tease me ‘cuz they know I hate it, but I take it all in stride (sssssh don’t tell them 🤫;)

The $32-million, Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta opened in October 2005. It consists of a museum, a 150-seat studio theatre and the 700-seat main auditorium. beautiful little theatre. The acoustic sound within its walks is superb. One could sing “A capella” so easily in there. Well done guys, I love it!

What a lovely little theatre can do for the voice.

There was not a lot of time between the end of soundcheck and having to be back ready to go for the first set. We had about an hour and a half. I was ready in no time and actually sat on my phone in my room looking at some socials when I came across a review of our show in Nottingham, England, at the Rockingham Festival. Now you have to remember that this festival is one that celebrates HEAVY rock with bands like WARRANT and NELSON on the bill. I mentioned in an earlier blog written while in the UK, how strongly I felt about our performance and that I was proud of Glass Tiger for “knocking it out of the park!” Here for you is the review of the show from writer Andy Nathan;

The curveball in the original Rockingham line up announcement, that few could have predicted, was Glass Tiger. On paper they were one of the biggest names on the bill – joining only Nelson and Warrant as holders of a top 2 USA singles hit back in the day.

However the Canadians had not played the UK since 1991, and more seriously against the Rockingham strapline of ‘melodic hard rock’ they failed the second definition and arguably were on the fringes of the third. They played a masterstroke for anyone who feared they might be too poppy, opening with ‘Animal Heart’ whose strong choruses allied to some suitably AOR keyboards from Sam Reid was one of their rockier songs.

The likes of ‘Someday’ and ‘I Will Be There’ may have lacked crashing powerchords, but were agreeable songs expertly delivered and on top of that Alan Frew, recovered from serious illness and with a Scottish accent betraying barely a hint of his adult life in Canada, was both a pitch perfect vocalist and a frontman with an almost comic sense of timing- indeed it was no surprise to learn that he makes a living outside the nostalgia circuit from public speaking.

‘Worlds Crumble’- was a duet between Alan and curly haired backing singer Carmela Long, while highlights that broke the Rockingham mould included a drinking song they wrote with the Chieftains, ‘My Song’ when a bouncing Nottingham students union was turned for four minutes into a convivial rural bar in rural Ireland, and the equally celtic flavoured ‘My Town’, preceded by some hilarious remarks by Alan about how the song had given an ungrateful Rod Stewart his big career break.

‘Rhythm of Your Love’ got into a great groove, people picked up on the ‘love gives life’ chorus of ‘Diamond Sun’ and ‘The Thin Red Line was another with a celtic, almost Big Country-ish flavour. Despite joking earlier that it wouldn’t be in the set, Alan ended with ‘Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone’, whose melodies had the crowd bouncing and he led a protracted but very entertaining audience participation section.

These seasoned pros knew exactly how to deliver a set and I marked them as band of the weekend, allied to a sense of shame that back in the eighties I returned a couple of their albums to the Record and Tape Exchange as they hadn’t been rock enough.

Not too shabby at all, if I say so myself. Things could have been a lot different for a band of our genre being inserted into another genre much “louder” than our own. Well done GT!!

Our show here in Medicine Hat, our first of about 17 or so, was a smashing success. Although for us on stage, it wasn’t without a few little “hairy” moments. Mainly with timing and coordinating that timing with what we were hearing in our in-ear monitors. Nothing though, that an audience would really pick up on and it’s all part-and-parcel of working out the cobwebs from the rock format to learning the new feel of the acoustic one. The audience was fabulous and the band received a very warm and enthusiastic encore.

On this tour Glass Tiger is proud and honoured to support CAMH (Centre For Addiction and Mental Health) in their efforts to raise money and awareness to not only be able to keep moving forward with state-of-the-art research and hopefully a cure but also in helping break down the stigma attached to being an addict and of suffering from mental health disorder. Of course many times both addiction and mental health disorder walk hand-in-hand. It was my honour therefore, to speak from the stage just prior to intermission asking the people of Medicine Hat to sign up in support of CAMH. I explained how in the spirit of community they would be helping “their own.” Yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbour, this is what CAMH is about. Cutting edge research and treatment.

Five people signed up and we were delighted to invite them back stage to thank them, take photos with them, and give them a little gift of a signed Glass Tiger 31 CD.

After the show we went for a cold refreshment and a bite to eat. We then returned to the hotel and it was my intention to have a last-call beer with Sam in his room. We opened the beer......I sat down on the sofa......and we turned on Jimmy Kimmel Live and zzzzzZzzzZzZZZZZZZZZ!! ”HEY ALAN!......BEDTIME!!” Night, Night Guys

Well it’s that time again it seems. The time where I take my ass and my suitcase and head to the airport.

Back on the road yet again. A dance that I have danced countless times. This time we begin in Medicine Hat, via Calgary.

Medicine Hat is a city in southeast Alberta, Canada, located along the South Saskatchewan River, within Cypress County. As of 2016 , Medicine Hat has a population of 63,230.

Founded in 1883, the name "Medicine Hat" is the English translation of Saamis (SA-MUS) – the Blackfoot word for the eagle tail feather headdress worn by medicine men. Several legends are associated with the name of a mythical mer-man river serpent named Soy-yee-daa-bee – the Creator – who appeared to a hunter and instructed him to sacrifice his wife to get mystical powers which were manifest in a special hat. Another legend tells of a battle long ago between the Blackfoot and the Cree in which a retreating Cree "Medicine Man" lost his headdress in the South Saskatchewan River.

Radiocarbon dates indicate the Saamis occupied about AD 1500 and again around AD 1750", well before most European contact.

We have played Medicine Hat numerous times in our 31 years since The Thin Red Line was first released and we have always found the people friendly and the crowds great, so we are looking forward to this one.

Since I am gone for quite a bit of time I left my car at home and used UBER to get me to the airport. My driver, Ahmed, was a cool dude and he got us there in no time flat.

This acoustic trip only has five of us travelling. Four onstage ; Sam, Al, Carmela and yours truly. Plus we have our trusty sound tech and road manager Joe.

Here we go...yet again.

Flight to Calgary was smooth and uneventful. I spent most of the time perusing a script I am involved in, while also answering emails etc thanks to the fact that most flights now have internet available ( at a cost of course lol)

Weather outside my window looks lovely, bright and sunny and of course that earth pattern of “the prairies” is always interesting without a mountain, hill or mound of dirt in sight.

“Hello Mr Frew, you are in seat 2D and welcome to E. coli airlines.”

So I am a bit of a germaphobe. Not as bad as some but certainly way more than most. I carry little individual alcohol wipes with me, the kind one would use if administering an injection to someone and disinfecting the skin just prior. I have been mocked ( many times) in the past by my fellow band mates and musicians and some of my friends. Now get this, we are sitting in the Air Canada Lounge when Sam tells us he has just watched a CBC segment on “how dirty are our airlines” aka “germs found on aircrafts” that can go from annoying, to getting us sick to downright killing us. Sam then asked us to name the areas on the planes that we may think are the stinkiest and dirtiest with germs. Do you think you could pinpoint the area the experts say is the “ultimate haven” for mountains of icky germs? We all guessed, the washrooms, the tray table, the seatbelt, the button for your seat, the screen of the tv....but we missed two hotbeds of shit. One is the pouch on the back of the seat in front of you. Apparently staff find things like “used” diapers, condoms...yes used condoms..and the crème de la crème....used tampons!!! Jesus Murphy people, COME ON!!! Finally the other one we missed that apparently the experts say is the major culprit.... can you guess? It is the “headrest.” And I must admit, in all of my sanitizing through the years, I never thought to do that. But today I did😉 And always will.

Welcome to Canada people....our beautiful prairies.

So we landed safely and picked up our vehicles for the three hour drive to Medicine Hat. Man when the weather is great and the skies are clear and the sun is out ... the prairies are a sight to behold. We had a lovely drive into town and within 30mins of our arrival we had a band dinner together.

Headed back up to my room to catch the end of the Patriots v Bills with a happy ending as my favourites chalked up another victory.

Since my day was rather simple with no major news for you, I will leave you with five random thoughts that have no rhyme of reason for entering my head, other than the fact that they did.

1.Batman’s alter-ego, Bruce Wayne, is named after Scottish hero Robert the Bruce and American Revolutionary hero Mad Anthony Wayne.

“Shuffle Beat, Shuffle Beat, Shuffle Beat, Shuffle.”

2. 9/10ths of the battle of life, is just “showing up.”

3. Don’t Forget Me ( when I’m gone ) was inspired by the “shuffle beat” of “Everybody Wants To Rule The World, by Tears For Fears.

4. Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.” ~ Oscar Wilde

So that’s it London. Our, all-to-brief-affair is over for the time being. As always, time has no master and it stops for no one. We are heading back home...... to Canada.

You are unique London, of that, there is no doubt. I am now too set in my ways, living as I have, in Canada and spending the bulk of my life, working and travelling in North America. I do however, enjoy immensely, coming back to the UK and I can only trust that we will do this dance again very soon.

This morning I headed downstairs and instead of sausage and mushrooms and potatoes and beans...... it was a cuppa tea .....and a ....banana!! 😂....the cleanse has begun. I need to go home .....swim....eat salads .....swim....eat salads....repeat.

Swim, Salad,Swim, Salad, Swim, ok one Guinness, Swim, Salad.....

Don’t get me wrong, I love the pubs. The atmosphere, the surroundings, everything about them. I grew up around them with my dad and my grandad and my uncles and all of the families I knew so well back then. Pubs were places not just to drink in but to congregate, to debate in, to express caring in and of course to have the odd family feud in or worse yet a right good punch up! But they are special.

When I was a boy, my grandmother’s living room floor was the ceiling of the pub down below. At various times my grandmother, my mother and my aunt were ALL barmaids in that pub downstairs and to say it was my grandfather’s local? Well.......😂😂😂

“I see they hid Alan’s, grandad’s clothes again Mary!”

One time he was in there in the afternoon and had a bit too much. My granny set my mum on him to a), find out where he got the money to pay for drinks and b), get him out of there and upstairs to bed ( removing any cash he may have left in his pocket) ....oh, and the standing order, “Hide his clothes!” to prevent him from coming back down.

Later, undeterred, he did what any respectable gentleman of the times would do...he came down in his pyjamas and my brother’s jacket!!

I LOVE characters. I always have and HE was the “King of Characters,” This country is full of them. The UK will always hold a special place in my heart forever.

So yesterday was a quiet day. I stayed in my room extra-long just reading and writing before going for a walk back down to my beloved, St. Pancras station, to the Marks & Spencer’s shop to pick up some particular candies for my daughter.

There is a piano that sits permanently in the station for any and all to play and I watched a very talented young man entertain us with his skill.

Took my time walking around, then as I meandered back, i decided I wanted to just sit alone in the nearest “real” pub that I could find and of course here, that’s not difficult at all. I settled on THE BOOT a small, rather quaint, establishment and ordered myself a Guinness and for the next hour, I just people-watched and read my book.

Headed back to the hotel but couldn’t resist going into the betting shop and “punting” a few horses. It’s one of my favourite things to do in the UK. You go into a pub, order a pint, walk around the corner, put on a bet, go back to the pub, finish yer pint as you watch the race on the telly, then you rip up your betting slip cuz yer horse had three legs, order a pint, and repeat lol

Next time.....count their legs!

Went back to hotel and had a quick soak in the tub before meeting Carm and Joe who are excited to have fish & chips the “real way” that is, in the paper, tons of salt & malt vinegar and walking in the street as you eat with you fingers, “ OooH Ahhh, yikes! Hot! Hot!” But ohhhhhh so delicious.

Afterwards we had a “Farewell To England” drink then shut it down for the night.

As I now write this, I am over the ocean on the flight home. I will be sleeping in my own bed tonight and I have tomorrow off to relax, swim, chill etc Then on Thursday Glass Tiger has an acoustic rehearsal to prepare for our upcoming acoustic tour from West to East coast in Canada. We are out there for most of November and look forward to seeing some of you along the way. As I mentioned on my socials, some of you have asked why the Hamilton show was cancelled and as I explained, bands don’t book shows; buyers, promoters, agents & managers do, and for whatever reason, between that combo, Hamilton was cancelled. I can only hope we get a chance to come play for you soon guys. We are just as bummed as you are that it’s cancelled, perhaps even more, because we had family and friends coming, and it was close enough that we could go home afterwards.

So there you have it. We have now dipped our toe, albeit just a tiny bit of the “baby” toe, into the waters of America & UK and we and our audiences had a blast. Trying to re-establish the band in these markets one club at a time however, would be a tough one, not to mention, that I’d be 105 yrs old and my voice would be a little shaky lol So we will also look to see if any festivals or suitable 80’s tours could be made available to us, in order to get us out again in front of huge crowds like we do here in Canada in the summers.

Reacquainting with fans in America, and in UK and of course with those who travelled to UK from Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland and France was just so heart-warming. We love you guys and we are honoured that you still love the band after all of these years. And of course to you newcomers, welcome!!

Finally got a decent sleep, and although still a little groggy, I was up at 7am and ready to go. My train was a 10am out of London to Nottingham, and so I had plenty of time to go down and join my friends for breakfast.

I LIKE A NICE CUP OF TEA, WITH MY TEA.

Tea cures everything doesn’t it? And THIS.... is BRITAIN, where they know how to provide you with GREAT TEA!!

I like mine strong and my water hotter than hot and I struggle so badly in North America trying to get a proper cup of tea when travelling. It’s always a nightmare of shitty teabags and lukewarm water....ugh!

But this is England, where men are MEN, women are WOMEN and more importantly TEA IS TEA!!!

Where else do you get a three egg omelette, with chips, salad AND HP Sauce 😉 please don’t tell my doctor, I promise it’s only an England thing.

I lose things. Lots of things. Clothes, cash, glasses, I.D, credit cards, headphones, power cords, shoes, passports and my most favourite it seems .......wallets, and, just for the record, it’s usually wallets, WITH most of the above in them.

My best pal from Scotland, Bryce, who is here with me for this weekend, has always said that for years, he came to Canada just to help me find or to not lose my wallet, although the bugger is a master of helping me “empty” my wallet once I do find it, but that’s another story for another time 😂

So it will come to you as no surprise (nor to Bryce) that in the short time it took me to go down to breakfast, then back up to my room, then back down to the lobby again to leave for Nottingham, I lost and had to replace, three room keys.

Yesterday, as a wee example, on my day off, Bryce and I went to see a football match. I ordered a driver to take us to the stadium, wait for us during the game, then bring us back to our hotel. The car was on time and we jumped in. Luckily, I verbalized loudly my little checklist just as the car was pulling away from the hotel.

“Fuck! I forgot them!” And we had to stop the car, let me out, head back into hotel get them, only to realize that when I got to the room door, I couldn’t find my key! Yes, it’s a nightmare. Yes I am hopeless. Let’s move on shall we?

So back to my Nottingham trip. We have breakfast and my friends say they will wait for me in the lobby. I tell them “Two minutes!” due to the fact that my main luggage has travelled ahead already to Nottingham with the band and I only have a few things to shove in my back pack and I am done.

Two mins later, I am ready to go when I suddenly have an epiphany. “Where the fuck is my train ticket!!???” I search around. I am convinced it should be sitting right here on the desk. Now .....a little panic is setting in and I search a bit more, knowing that without a doubt, it was on THIS desk! Ok, I have no choice, I need help; I send the following text to my pal;

I know that by this time Bryce is just shaking his head, saying to his wife, “Whit a bampot he is.” (For those of you who need a translation on bampot, it basically means; great guy, really organized and together 🤥😂)

Next text....

Okay, okay, it wasn’t on the desk. It seems that I had shoved it inside my wallet, obviously thinking, “Take it off of the desk, put it inside your wallet for safety and you’ll remember where it is.”

Once I got back down to the lobby, I did my vocal checklist, remember those? And just as I am thinking of what could possibly go wrong now, I have everything. “Okay, there’s my phone, my wallet, my cash, my medication, AND.....my TRAIN TICKET, I think it’s safe to say that I am ready to go.”

“You got yer passport?” says Bryce.

“I don’t need it, it’s a friggin’ train,” says I.

“I know that, but DO you have it? Is it safe?”

“Yes it’s in this part of my ba.....WHERE THE FUCK IS MY PASSPORT?”

A photograph of Bryce’s wife, who’s meeting me for the first time on this trip.

And so now there I am, emptying my backpack for all to see, on a bench, in the lobby, while Bryce just buries his head in his hands.

After every single object is removed and scattered around me I go, “Oh, there it is!” And all is well again, at least for a wee while. I say cheerio to my pal, his lovely wife and his adorable daughter and as my taxi is pulling away I swear I saw his little daughter mouth, “Holy shit! I thought you said he was a bit scattered dad. He’s fucking hopeless!” 😂😂

That wee bastard just shit on my hat.

St. Pancras is now officially, my favourite train station in the world. Ok I admit, I am not in many train stations but until I am in one that tops this one, this is it!!

A leisurely, civilized, 3 hr train ride through the meadows of England and I arrived safely in Nottingham.

I called ahead and Joe told me that he and Sam and Carmela were at a little local pub that is a “must-see” here in Nottingham.

Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem claims to have been established in 1189; however, there is no documentation to verify this date. The building rests against Castle Rock, upon which Nottingham Castle is built, and is attached to several caves, carved out of the soft sandstone. These were originally used as a brewhouse for the castle, and appear to date from around the time of the construction of the castle in 1068.

The oldest parts of the current building were constructed between 1650 and 1660, though a map by John Speed shows a previous building in existence in 1610. By 1751 the building was being used as an inn with the name The Pilgrim, and was shortly after that date purchased by William Standford.[1] The first record of the use of the name Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem dates from 1799.

I don’t know if it is “the” oldest pub in England as they claim, but it is one of the quaintest wee pubs I have ever been in and if you ever are in Nottingham ya have to go see it....or better yet, taste it!! Besides, where else will you leave a pub, walk around the corner, and bump into Robin Hood!!!?

I mean seriously?

Lobby call to head over to the Rockingham festival was 4:10pm, with Glass Tiger due to hit the stage at 5:10pm and so we headed back to hotel to get showered and dressed. The guys sort of prepared me a little for what to expect due to the fact that they had spent last night here in Nottingham. The festival runs Friday, Saturday & Sunday and so last night in the bar, the bands and the fans of the bands jammed the place and Carm described it as one would describe say, “Comic-Con” where all the fans of comic books and superheroes gather to honour their love of such things, only “this” she said is like “Metal-Con” where all the fans of iconic power-rock bands come to hear their favourites play. The likes of VIXEN, PINK CREAM 69, AMMUNITION, BIG FOOT, Have I named your favourite yet? No? Okay how about, WARRANT, WHITE WIDOW, or who can forget TOKYO MOTOR FIST?

It’s like time has stood still. Unmoved and unchanged. More hair and mascara than if you melted Dolly Parton and Tammy Faye Baker together. So now you get the picture. The scene is set as to why we had no idea what to expect. What would the fans of these bands think of Canada’s own 80’s “pop” stars, Glass Tiger? Would they find us too soft and give us the heave-ho? Would someone nail me with a tube of eye-liner right on the forehead? Well we were about to find out.

To say the set up was old-school-Rock’n’Roll would be an understatement. No monitors worth shit, I had to sing in braille. I couldn’t hear a damn thing. Each band had to just use the set up as it was and with very little room to move, I took the head of Tommy’s bass, to the side of my head and “that” ain’t fun. So how did it turn out? After all of that? IT WAS BRILLIANT!!! AND THE CROWD WERE FANTASTIC!! From the opening lick of “Animal Heart” to the closing “gone” of “Don’t Forget Me (when I’m Gone) the audience sang and cheered and loved every minute of us. And I don’t mind telling you, we knocked it out of the friggin’ park!! I have been singing so long that not being able to hear myself over the noise of the band and the non-existence of stage monitors is not something that is going to affect my pitch or tone. Carmela likewise. We’ve just been doing it for so long, it’s second nature. Granted, my ears are fried and it was painful but the audience got me through it and they were simply brilliant.

After the show I met the buyer and he was ecstatic at our performance and would happily have us back ....to headline. I met some great crew guys, some of whom were from Scotland and they loved it. I know we nailed it. When we stop “nailing it” then I will know my next move but until then, I will put this band on any stage, up against any band, and we will nail it and hold our own with any of them.

THANK YOU ROCKINGHAM FOR HAVING US. YOU WERE FANTASTIC!!!

The first time around.

Back at hotel afterward we had dinner together as a band before a “throng” of fans came looking for us to do autographs and photo’s. What is really amazing is that these fans came “for us”; Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Switzerland ...it reminds me of how I first felt when we released THIN RED LINE and people told us when you get to this country or that country you will be amazed to find out they already know and love your music. What a thrill it still is. And so we mingled with fans of old and with fans of new, who came to see their favourite “other” band, not knowing us from a hole-in-the -ground ......but now they do! 😉 and we have some new fans.

Had a warm soak in tub around midnight and off to bed.

That’s it England. Our two gigs are over all too soon. Tomorrow back to London for a flight to Canada the next day.

Ok I admit that it hasn’t been THAT long, but it feels like it today, since Glass Tiger last played the U.K.

It would have been on the Roxette tour of I think....1991.....27 years ago!! Boy’o’Boy where does the time go. That tour was a mixture of the Good, the Bad, and the downright ugly.

First of all, Roxette were very, very, good and they deserved all the attention they were getting. Selling millions of albums brought them all the trappings that only a major tour can bring you. Crowds of 20,000 or more each and every night. Huge stage set up, multiple tour buses, selling tons of merch etc They had everything going for them and they themselves, were, and still are, cool people. A Swedish pop-rock duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle, they formed in 1986 and their third album, Joyride was a massive success and it was on this tour, we joined them for that ride. “The Look”, Listen To Your Heart”, “It Must Have Been Love”, and of course “Joyride” were to become “classic” hits and put them on the 80’s Greatest lists forever.

Come Join The Joyride.

The bad however came courtesy of their crew. They had Swedish riggers, American sound company & UK truckers who all basically hated each other and we as the “opening act” were constantly caught in the middle of their disdain for each other. It was tough to say the least.

On one particular occasion, our Soundman left our truck carrying all of our gear, in the wrong spot. I admit it was a stupid mistake and required action immediately, so as not to hamper their loadout. What they did however was drag our truck away to a far corner of the parking lot (understable...maybe) but then they slashed ALL of our tires and left it stranded. Which meant a total nightmare for us to get that sorted out by morning and still make the next venue in the next city miles away.

The ugly came in the form of the catering company, who I am sad to say, were Scottish! The were miserly, rude and miserable and treated us like shit. Totally uncalled for and just downright mean and nasty. It made the tour, one tough grind to say the least but we are consummate pro’s and so we just sucked it up, put smiles on our faces and toured for almost 3 months with them. Rock’n’Roll right?

Back together again in Montreal.

Ironically about ten years ago or so, they were touring again and they only spot on their tour where ticket sales were a little “light”, was Canada. Someone in the promoting world decided it would be cool to match us up once again. This resulted in us doing about 7 or 8 shows with them across the country. Circumstances however, were much different this time as Glass Tiger hit the stages in Montreal and Toronto and Vancouver etc to a tremendous “home” reception and we were treated much differently. We met with them briefly for us all to do photo together and it was nice to see Marie & Per again. Truth be told, they never knew of how poorly we were treated behind the scenes back in ‘91, and of course we never made them aware. We would never do that, and so when we caught up with them on the second tour it was all pleasantries as it should have been.

Things were different the second time around with Roxette.

And so, meanwhile back in London, my best pal from Scotland arrived around 1pm and we met downstairs in the lobby bar. We haven’t seen each other in three years which is the longest gap in the last 30!!! He also had his wife with him and his sweet little daughter, both of whom I was meeting for the first time. They were coming with me to soundcheck and so we all got ready quickly and set off.

A decision had to be made. The first venue they booked here is around the corner from our hotel ....BUT....the venue was changed on us with short notice and the new one, The Boston Music Room was at least 45 mins away by cab. A grind I didn’t want to face in London heavy traffic. And so....... “to the BAT-tube Robin!” And off we set on the underground (subway) which only took about 20 mins.

The gig was in a part of North London called Tufnell Park, in the London Boroughs of Islington and Camden, an area of former farmland last owned by a wealthy branch of the Tufnell family before its development. Luckily The Boston Music Room is located just across the street from the Tufnell Tube Station and so we all gathered together in the club.

Boston pub and The Boston Music Room in Tufnell.

As happens, soundcheck is a test of “hurry up and wait.” Normally when we are in the groove of a tour, I don’t do them, preferring to save my voice for the actual concert. But when it’s a new gig and especially a special one like this, I do indeed join in. This one however was still about almost 2hrs away as our amazing sound technician, Joe, worked feverishly to get things together. I decided to go for a hot tea and I was joined by a great friend, and photographer over here called Christopher Bissell and my fabulous background vocalist, Carmella. We were not there long before I was recognized by a man who seemed rather excited to see me. He came over, wearing I might add, a Glass Tiger, London, 2018, t-shirt. Hold on though, we don’t have, Glass Tiger, London, 2018, t-shirts!! It turns out his wife made it for him to commemorate our concert that was about to happen and they were both so jazzed for Glass Tiger that they had travelled all the way from Holland. How special. I of course invited them to soundcheck and they were over the moon happy.

My “second family” from Scotland at soundcheck. The lad, far left, is “Flip” all the way from Holland.

We killed time having tea before returning to the club only to find Joe still wasn’t quite ready and that the lads, including my Scottish mate, were next door, in the pub, having a pint!! Go figure. Really? I joined them, tea in hand, for a chat, only to find out that a gentleman and his wife had travelled from Bristol to see us, Glass Tiger albums in hand, and he, a huge fan, was in the bar, hoping I would come in. He was so thrilled and........of course I invited them to soundcheck. Lol

Finally around 5pm soundcheck happened. It went fairly flawlessly but the clock had now become our enemy. It was around 6:15 pm when it finished and we of course were still at least a 45 min car ride away from our hotel and our stage clothes. And so..... “to the BAT-tube Robin!” How crazy! This is certainly a first. We chugged back on the train reaching our hotel around 6:50pm knowing that we had to be back in the club by 8:30pm onstage at 9:10.

To say getting ready quickly is an understatement is of course, an understatement!! Within about 20 mins we were ready, a world record for our only girl in the band, Carm, and so.... “to the BAT-tube Robin!” and like yo-yo’s we were off again. Holy shit Batman! I can honestly say I have never rushed to my gig on the subway and can honestly say I never will again!! Truth be told though, it was a new experience and now look, I have a memory and a story to tell.

Carmella, Sam and I deciding what train we have to catch,

The club and the crowd were small but that’s never a deterrent for a band that’s eager to play and for a crowd eager to enjoy. From the very first note we were all into it together; opening as we do with ANIMAL HEART right into I’M STILL SEARCHING, we ALL rocked together, band and audience. People often ask me how we can play the same tunes over and over for 30 odd years and STILL enjoy it? Well the answer is simple. The audience. You guys! Without you we are nothing. And without you those songs would quickly grow stale and cumbersome. Each audience is different. Always! And each audience keeps us alive and hopefully fresh. So thanks you LONDON! You were brilliant. From the first note to the loud and raucous encore you have to us I thank you. Thanks to AT THE SUN for taking the stage before us. You ROCKED!

You ROCKED London!!! Thank you so much.

After the show I went up to meet some of the fans and take a few photo’s and sign a few autographs. What was truly amazing was we had people who had travelled from Florence, Italy, from just outside of Paris, France and from Munich in Germany. We even had a father, daughter, combo all the way from sunny Glasgow in Scotland! My people!!! 😉 We DO NOT take that lightly. It probably means more to us now at this stage in our career than it did back in the day. Hard-working people, taking their hard-earned money, purchasing plane tickets and hotels to come from the likes of Italy to a wee club in Tufnell, North London, all because they love Glass Tiger and our music. What an honour. Thank you.

And so it ended. It was time to head back to the hotel. And we all know what that meant right? It was time for the BAT-tu......NO! fuck that Robin, it was time to grab a taxi and travel back in comfort and at our leisure. No madness. No rushing.

Had a quiet Guinness with the gang and then headed to bed. Tomorrow I have the day off.

Tickets, as we all know, can be important and meaningful. Train tickets. Plane tickets. Concert tickets, all of them a big deal. I have THIS ticket, which is my train ticket to Nottingham on Sunday. But for now THESE tickets are TOP SHELF!!!!

Big game tomorrow.

Football tomorrow, to see my other favourite “blues”....CHELSEA vs the mighty reds of Manchester. Should be a good’n’.

Slept until around 11a.m. London time. Could have slept even longer after my long journey but up I got. Showered and dressed, we all made contact with each other and it was decided that four of us were going to head off together on an excursion. Joe (sound & road managing), Carm (background vocals), Russell (guitars) & yours truly all met in the lobby around noon and off we went.

This’ll get ya where ya need to go.

The first line of business was to figure out the subway system, or as they call it here....the tube. It’s all a bit daunting at first but once ya get the hang of it, and get your “Oyster Card” lol, it’s a breeze.

Simply put, the rapid transit system, “The Underground” in London is enormous. A system which began operation 155 years ago, in 1863!!! Think about THAT train ride!! It’s daily ridership is 5 million, giving it an annual ridership of 1.379 billion! It has 270 stations and 11 different transit lines.

Air Raid Shelter.

During World War ll, many tube stations were used as air-raid shelters. On 3 March 1943, a test of the air-raid warning sirens, together with the firing of a new type of anti-aircraft rocket, resulted in a crush of people attempting to take shelter, in total 173 people, including 62 children, died, making this both the worst civilian disaster of World War II, and the largest loss of life in a single incident on the London Underground network. And that disaster wasn’t even caused by the bad guys!! 😢

So we headed to Knightsbridge on the tube and went straight to the world famous Harrods, a luxury department store located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. Regardless of your budget and/or your spending habits, Harrods is a must-do, must-see, at least once in your life. A human-fest of rabid shoppers in this gigantic piece of architecture, actively buying up everything from a £1 candy to a £30,000 bottle of Champagne to a £98,500 hand-signed, Warhol, lithograph.

Harrods

Funny I had no glasses on when I approached the lithograph, and my eyes saw, £98.50 causing me to think it was just a cool reproduction of a lithograph. The attendant approached me...” “Lovely isn’t it?”

“Yes indeed,” I replied.

“Are you a fan of his work then?”

Amazing what £98,500 will get you.

“Yes, and also a fan of Elizabeth.”

“Are you interested in this price sir?”

“Absolutely, it would be cool in my studio. I am just thinking that....(puts glasses on, see’s signature in bottom right-hand corner is real, and price tag is £98,500)....... thinking that ....I will go for a walk, and give it more thought. Nice weather we’re having, don’t you think?” (Head for the hills Tonto!!!!)

Anyway, it is must-visit for you if it’s your first time in London.

These were NOT £98,500.

Had lovely lunch at an Italian restaurant by Harrods then made a purchase back in the store.

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love new running shoes (or “trainers” as they are called here). It’s an obsession with me so much so that when they get dirty and the slightest bit worn I am always thinking about the next pair. So when over in UK or Europe I always look for ones that I just know you cannot get back in Canada or U.S.

The deed done, we headed down to St. Pancras train station to see the famous “Kissing Couple” statue, sort out my train ticket for Sunday and to view the famous St Pancras Hotel. What a building!! Even the train station is glorious. The statue of the “Kissing Couple” is wonderful.

“ Kiss me ya big lug!”

Officially called The Meeting Place it is a 9-metre (30 ft) high, 20-tonne bronze statue that stands at the south end of the upper level of St Pancras railway station. Designed by British artist Paul Day and revealed in 2007, it is intended to evoke the romance of travel through the depiction of a couple locked in an amorous embrace. The statue, which stands in the Eurostar terminal, is reported to have cost £1 million and was installed as the centrepiece of the refurbished station. The work, is modelled on the sculptor and his wife.

The hotel itself is a sight to behold. Completed in 1876

“That’s my room. No not that one...THAT one!”

The hotel was expensive, with costly fixtures including a grand staircase, rooms with gold leaf walls and a fireplace in every room. It had many innovative features such as hydraulic lifts, concrete floors, revolving doors and fireproof floor constructions, though none of the rooms had bathrooms, as was the convention of the time. The hotel was taken over by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1922 before closing in 1935, by which time its utilities were outdated and too costly to maintain, such as the armies of servants needed to carry chamber pots, tubs, bowls and spittoons. It’s a must if you ever visit London to go there for tea and biscuits. Very civilized I must say. The only thing missing is the Queen!

How are those for Guinness taps!

We then headed to a pub called O’Neill’s for a lovely pint of Guinness, after which I left everyone to walk back to my hotel and prepare to visit some family. On the walk back I passed a “chippy” and could not resist haddock & chips, open-faced, with tons of malt vinegar and salt. Don’t tell my doctor, but....fuck they were delicious. It reminded me so much of my childhood.

Did a short family visit before meeting the gang back at the hotel for a wee nightcap and bed. Tomorrow we gig. Can’t wait.

Up at 5:45 am to begin the long journey east to my childhood homeland. Well now, technically it’s not, but in a “unified” sense it is.....Great Britain.

Brittania

Great Britain of course is the name given to the island that compromises England, Wales and the home of my birth, “Bonnie Scotland.”

We of course use the term, “The United Kingdom” but that name actually refers to the aforementioned countries plus, Northern Ireland, another place near and dear to my heart since I spent several summers there as a boy during my school holidays. Sadly, my last memory of Northern Ireland, was awakening one morning to the fact that there was a soldier in full battle gear, rifle at the ready, outside the front doorway of my auntie’s house whom we were staying with. This was the summer of 1969 and the “troubles” were just about to begin. My grandmother and I left Belfast for home, and I have never seen it since.

Belfast 1969

On this trip however, I will not be visiting Scotland nor Belfast and therefore, England ....will just have to do, lol.

Seriously though, I love London. I enjoy her immensely. The history. The swagger. The pubs! Oh and of course, the “football!” Yes I said football, because as anyone plainly knows, it is performed with the feet. The game we in North America know and love that we call football, should of course be called, “Throwball” but we’ll leave that discussion for another day.

I never take my car to the airport if I am going to be gone more than 4 days and so with the assistance of technology, I texted for an UBER around 6:45am and off I went. My car was indeed “uber-comfy” and we were at the airport in no time.

Crossword ready to go.

Flight was smooth and uneventful. I spent the time writing, all the while with headphones on and a movie playing in the background. One of my all-time favourites was playing. I have seen it so much I could watch it with no sound and provide you with all of the dialogue myself;

“Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish maidens.

Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain.

For we’ve received orders for to sail back to Boston.

So never no more shall we see you again.”

Okay......name the movie.

Say what you want about Air Canada, it to me, remains one of the top airlines in the world and when everything goes to plan, it’s great.

That time when I slept with a guy! 😩

All airlines have their shit-fests and we all know how frustrating that can be but when you travel as much as I have and still do, you tend to roll with the punches and take the shit-fests in stride. After all, what can you do? I tend to hunker down in the lounge and just read and write to pass away the time, or sleep!

The movie I wrote of earlier was of course JAWS, starring, Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and the amazing Robert Shaw, directed of course by the “one and only,” Steven Spielberg. I had the pleasure of attending a wedding recently that was also attended by Mr Spielberg. As a total movie buff I cannot tell you how surreal it was to be standing at the bar with him, both of us waiting for the young bartender’s attention that we may order our drinks. I was ordering for my wife and our dear friend, Steven on the other hand was only ordering for himself and some guy called “Hanks,” .....but that’s another story altogether.

Good evening London.

Our flight was a good 45 mins ahead of schedule (see it’s not all shit-fests ;) We flew over London in the dark for it was 8:30pm their time. I far prefer taking flights to UK that leave Canada in the morning rather than take the night flights that get you there the following morning. I am always completely dragged out flying through the night and walking off the plane at 6:45am then dragging your ass into the city, checking into hotel by say, 11:30am, and you now decide to try and “stay awake” all through the day and evening in order to go to bed at a proper time. Fuck that! It’s a nightmare. This way you leave in morning and you land in evening as close to normal as you can possibly have while going across the Atlantic.

Headed to passport control. I have let my British Passport expire, (just laziness, MUST rectify) and so I entered the country as a Canadian, even although my Scottish accent betrayed me to the passport control officer. It always amazes me how friendly the European & British passport control officers can be and this lady was exceptional. I handed her my passport causing her to say in a strong London accent,” Wot kind of Canadian accent is that then?” I handed her my work permit allowing me to perform here and the process took about 20mins. I was in a fast-track line and got through much quicker than the others so I had to kill an hour or more waiting for them. So what was a lad supposed to do? My first UK pint in years went down a treat.

First UK pint in years...yes it’s Irish, I know that...!

Got the iPad out and continued writing.

We grabbed a couple of taxis and headed to hotel. I was reminded just how expensive London is immediately by the fact the cab ride was £89 (for us that’s about $160) then when we sat down to have a cold beer in our hotel, the call for 5 pints was close to £30 ....ahhhh London. Of course two things, you cannot think in dollars, that just drives ya crazy and two, it’s because the Canadian dollar is so weak. The U.S. dollar holds up much stronger to the British Pound.

So we sat and chatted had a beer or two and headed to bed around 3am UK time.